District art and music students to shine at 1st Friday

District art and music students

Experience the artistic and musical talents of City School District of Albany students of all ages at a special art exhibit and holiday concert on Friday evening, part of 1st Friday Albany festivities for December.

The event will take place at the Cathedral of All Saints, located at 62 South Swan St. (behind the New York State Education building). The event begins at 6 p.m.

The following musical groups will perform:

  • Albany High School chamber orchestraunder the direction of Kelly Diehl
  • Albany School of Humanities (ASH) combined band (with Giffen Memorial Elementary School) under the direction of Bryan Cady and combined orchestra (with Eagle Point Elementary School, Montessori Magnet School and Pine Hills Elementary School) combined orchestra under the direction of Cheri DeVall
  • Arbor Hill Elementary School combined band (with Giffen Memorial Elementary School and New Scotland Elementary School) under the direction of Scot Phelps
  • Delaware Community School combined orchestra (with Sheridan Preparatory Academy and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology) under the direction of Minitria Slade
  • Eagle Point Elementary School combined orchestra (with ASH, Montessori Magnet School and Pine Hills Elementary School) under the direction of Cheri DeVall
  •  Giffen Memorial Elementary School combined band (with ASH) under the direction of Bryan Cady, combined band (with Arbor Hill Elementary and New Scotland Elementary) under the direction of Scot Phelps and combined orchestra (with New Scotland Elementary School) under the direction of Lillie-Rose Ruby-Eck.
  • Montessori Magnet School combined orchestra (with ASH, Eagle Point Elementary School and Pine Hills Elementary School) under the direction of Cheri DeVall
  • New Scotland Elementary School combined band (with Arbor Hill Elementary School and Giffen Memorial Elementary School) under the direction of teacher Scot Phelps and combined orchestra (with Giffen Memorial Elementary School) under the direction of Lillie-Rose Ruby-Eck.
  • Pine Hills Elementary School combined orchestra (with ASH, Eagle Point Elementary School and Montessori Magnet School) under the direction of Cheri DeVall
  • Sheridan Preparatory Academy combined orchestra (with Delaware Community School and Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology)
  • Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School jazz band under the direction of Jesse Rawson
  • Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST) combined orchestra (with Delaware Community School and Sheridan Preparatory Academy) under the direction of Minitria Slade.

The art exhibit will feature the following schools and was coordinated by each school's art teacher or art teachers.

  • Albany High School (teachers Diana Jordan and Thea Resila)
  • Albany International Center (teacher Ellen Childs)
  • Albany School of Humanities (ASH) (teacher Amanda Mannato)
  • Arbor Hill Elementary School (teacher Joe Allard)
  • Delaware Community School (teacher Susan Rhatigan)
  • Eagle Point Elementary School (teacher Molly Suwara)
  • Giffen Memorial Elementary School (teacher Molly Whalen)
  • Montessori Magnet School (teacher Molly Suwara)
  • New Scotland Elementary School (teacher Helen Martin)
  • North Albany Academy (teacher Kelly Ryan)
  • Pine Hills Elementary School (teachers Helen Martin and Susan Rhatigan)
  • Schuyler Achievement Academy (teacher Joe Allard)
  • Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School (teacher Michelle Patka)
  • Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (Jennifer Tayne)
  • Tony Clement Center for Education (teacher Janine Sullivan)
  • William S. Hackett Middle School (teachers Elizabeth Boyle and Erica Cubello)

1st Friday Albany is an initiative to promote the arts in Albany via concerts, exhibits and other activities that take place the first Friday of each month at a variety of locations throughout the city.

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and prepare all students for college and career, citizenship and life, in partnership with our diverse community. The district serves about 9,500 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.