N-O Band Performs In New York - But Never Leaves School

The Neligh-Oakdale band performed in New York on Friday - all without leaving Antelope County. And, the experience was entirely free to the school district.

Once again, Neligh-Oakdale worked with talented instructors from the Manhattan School of Music, but this time more students were able to share in the experience.

"The students had a great time today," Metschke said. "This was an experience that you don't get to do very often. I was honored that we were able to partake in such a professional experience."

The Greater Southern Tier Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Northwestern New York planned the video conference. According to Gabe Gordon, distance learning program coordinator, the idea was for the teachers to practice conducting/leading an ensemble and to receive feedback from an MSM teaching artist.

"The band improved today under the instructor's  guidance," Metschke said. "It was our first time performing our music through the video-conferencing system, and we basically had a performance in New York and didn't leave our classroom."

Metschke thanked ESU8 coordinator Molly Aschoff for helping set up the technology and Mike Sindt, band director at Pierce High School, for lending his  microphones and mixer.

By: Neligh-Oakdale Schools

Neligh-Oakdale was featured in "The Washington Post" last November for working with the Manhattan School of Music. Read the story here.