Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble Performs at Carnegie Hall

The Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble took the stage at Carnegie Hall Sunday, performing in A Festival of Orchestras. They played beautifully.

Under the direction of their conductor, Philip Hough, the boys had been preparing for this concert since September. The quality of their playing demonstrated the months of effort and practice that preceded the event. Onstage and off, they were consummate professionals, confidently delivering a versatile program that featured these classical pieces and contemporary works: Finale from Surprise Symphony (Haydn), The Pink Panther (Mancini), Frandaele from L'Arlsesienne Suite No. 2 (Bizet), Promenade and The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky). The boys were joined onstage by alumni Clifford C.'19, Brian S. '19, and Hewitt S. '19.

We are so proud of the way our boys represented Saint David's, both through their comportment and their performance. Congratulations to Mr. Hough, to the boys, and to the Faculty who performed and our Ensemble Coaches: Erin Dupree, John Francis, Gary Kessler, Jeffrey Moore, Adele More, Meg Myette, Nicholas Reeb, Kerrick Sasaki, Aaron Van Heyningen.

A Festival of Orchestras is held every three years. In addition to Saint David's, it features concerts by Brearley, Rudolf Steiner, Packer Collegiate, and the United Nations School.

Resilience in the Teaching of Languages

Above: The Nerf microphone ball enables boys learning remotely to hear their classmates well. The pandemic has challenged educators to reinvent and reimagine units of study to keep learning engaging, regardless of how it is delivered. The following article, written for Saint David’s Magazine by our Modern Languages Chair Dr. Victoria Gilbert and Lower School Spanish teacher Flor Berman, addresses how this was done in the Spanish immersion language program at Saint David's. Ms. Berman and Dr. Gilbert, recipient of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers' Ruth E. Wasley Distinguished Teacher Award, presented on the topic at NYSAIS’s Flexible Classroom Conference last summer. How Spanish Classes Have Bounced Back Resiliency implies an ability to bounce back, but as teachers working with the youngest learners in the school, we would reframe resiliency as the opportunity to reimagine. Whether boys are learning through a face-to-face experience or through the med

The Role of Faith in Social-Emotional Learning and Psychological Well-Being

The following article by our School Psychologist, Dr. Michael Schwartzman, appears in the current issue of Saint David's Magazine : During one of my first observations in a Saint David’s classroom 15 years ago, I witnessed two first grade boys in a verbal altercation. Although it was contained just between the two boys, their observant teacher had them talk it through and then shake hands on being in a better place for having done so. I was very impressed, and still am, with this approach that the school takes many times throughout the day. It helps establish a firm idea of how to behave, especially in social situations where emotions can be stirred and run high. Through this experience repeated consistently day in and day out, better, more productive ways of engaging become increasingly integrated by the boys as they develop socially and emotionally in interaction with each other. As the School Psychologist, I spend a lot of time thinking about the touch points for student and t

Storytelling Demonstrates Understanding

Their time had arrived. As the lights dimmed in our Otto-Bernstein Theatre, the astrophysicists, a mix of jitters and excitement, awaited their opportunity to share insights and stories about the workings of the universe. Which planets might support life? Is there water on Mars? What are Dwarf Planets? "Let's take a look at our closest neighbor, Venus," invited one presenter, before revealing that the planet - while ideal in proximity - has surface temperatures of 900 degrees F: "Imagine - standing on the surface would be like being burned alive!" Later that same day, in our Graham lunchroom, early 20th century immigrants of all ages from Italy, China, Ireland, Russia, among other countries, waited, with hope and determination, their turn to be interviewed for admittance to America. It wasn't going to be easy. They would be asked pointed, potentially life-altering questions by various processors. "What's that cough? It doesn't sound good,&qu

David O'Halloran, Headmaster - Saint David's School, New York City

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