What's happening: The Ramsey School District recently hosted its first-ever district-wide concert, creating an unforgettable experience for band students in grades 6-12. The event was led by renowned conductors Dr. Elizabeth Peterson and Dr. Stephen Peterson, who brought their exceptional expertise to the stage, guiding and inspiring young musicians throughout the performance.
Go deeper: This event was made possible through generous funding from the Ramsey Public Education Foundation (RPEF). In addition, this unique collaboration bridged a special connection – all four of Ramsey's band directors, including Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Baruch, Mrs. Hanratty, and Mr. Stephenson, had the privilege of studying under the Petersons during their time at Ithaca College.
The Petersons, who led Ithaca College's prestigious band program from 1998-2015 before moving to the University of Illinois until their retirement in 2022, worked intensively with Ramsey students throughout the week.
The Petersons expressed particular admiration for both our students' exemplary character and our District's strong commitment to the performing arts. Their observations reflect the values we strive to instill in our music program: excellence, kindness, and dedication.
The bottom line: As we reflect on this milestone event, we're grateful for the opportunity to have hosted these distinguished educators who have shaped not only our directors' careers but now also the musical journey of our Ramsey students.
Congratultions Rams!