Apologies for sideways video. Will be corrected tomorrow.
On May 15, 2018, PS203Q presented its Spring Concert to the families of the Bayside Queens Elementary School. The concert, which lasted about 2 hours, included the following groups:
* The Suzuki Violin Program which consisted of approximately 50 violinists.
* Squeezebox 10 Accordion Club Band
* Les Chanteurs – Dancing & Singing Group
* School Chorus
* Dance Club
A special feature that night was the PS 203Q Accordion Band, conducted by Ms. Linda Holcomb, which consists of 10 accordionists. “Papa Joe” De Clemente from Queens provides assistance during band practices sessions and for the concert. A week prior to the concert, some of the kids’ groups, including the accordion band, performed for the residents of the “Chapin Home of the Aging” in Jamaica Queens, NY.
The accordion band performed the following selections;
“Come to the Sea”
“In The Mood”
“La Donna E Mobile”
“Chicken Dance”
“Star Wars Theme”
They also accompanied the School Chorus with “Something Just Like This”
A special note of thanks should be made to Ms.Holcomb for all of hard work she did as evidenced by the excellent performance of her students and the very enthusiastic reception by the audience.
Excerpts from LIAA publication: Public-school 203Q, in Bayside, Queens may be one of the only elementary schools in the five boroughs of New York City that has a student accordion band. It is made up of ten 4th and 5th graders and is conducted by the school’s music teacher, Mrs. Linda Holcomb.
The school started their accordion band fifteen years ago. They meet once a week, at the beginning of the school day to practice various songs that they will perform throughout the year. “We enjoy performing for concerts and events in our school, and we love taking our show on the road, into our community,” says Holcomb. During December, the group braved the frigid weather and played holiday songs outdoors for the Bayside Hills community holiday lighting celebration. They also entertained at the Clearview Senior Center located in that same area.
Holcomb adds, “Performing for nursing homes and Senior Centers brings such joy to the people there. They love to see the children play their accordions. Our students always come home from those trips so excited, having experienced how their music can really be a blessing to others.”
For the past two years, the group has been fortunate to have the guidance of community member and professional accordionist, “Papa Joe” De Clemente. Papa Joe volunteers his time to join the students for rehearsals and he inspires them to be better accordionists. Among the many things he does for them, he also fixes their accordions!
As a special treat for the school, Cory Pesaturo is going to graciously share his talents at PS203Q on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 1:PM.
For more information about the school’s accordion program, please contact Ms. Holcomb at lindaholcomb203@gmail.com
