Red Jacket Hosts FLMEA All-County For First Time in 15 Years

It’s an event that a school district gets to host only once every 15 years. No, it’s not a total eclipse viewing party. For hundreds of students, it’s much more special than that. Red Jacket hosted the Finger Lakes Music Educators Association (FLMEA) All-County performance on January 27th.

More than 250 young musicians from 15 school districts in the Finger Lakes region participated. The annual showcase featured the Junior High Band, Senior High Jazz Band, Senior High Chorus, and Senior High Orchestra.

Twelve talented students from Red Jacket earned their place in the spotlight, a testament to the school's commitment to musical excellence. Additionally, over 20 Red Jacket students volunteered their time to help set up for the event, showcasing the strong sense of community and pride at the school.

Chris Knapp, the Red Jacket Middle School and High School Chorus Teacher, has witnessed the excitement firsthand. “While talking about this event with our choir, almost every one of my students told me they wanted to be a part of this; how could they help,” said Mr. Knapp. “Our students have put in so much work, meeting every other day for months now. It’s been a full line of dedication.”

Andy Wight, who has taught band at Red Jacket for more than two decades, reflected on the joy of hosting the All-County performance, emphasizing the positive impact on both students and the community. "It’s always nice to host other districts so they can see Red Jacket and how awesome our community is," said Mr. Wight. “I also love seeing my kids get to play with these big groups. It’s a new kind of feeling.”

The event also provided an opportunity to showcase Red Jacket's new atrium, completed over the summer. As the curtain falls on this year's All-County Performance, Red Jacket is already gearing up for the next opportunity to host the event in 2039. Mark your calendars now for another unforgettable showcase of musical talent and community spirit.