Music & Drama
Music & Drama
Making a joyful noise
Music
The HCS music department consists of 4 choirs: High school, Middle School, Elementary beginning in second grade, and our new Preschool-first grade chorus. In the secondary years, students elect to take chorus which meets twice a week during the school year. The elementary chorus is made up of the second through fifth-grade classes and rehearses every Thursday afternoon before dismissal. We have two major concerts: one at Christmas and one in the Spring. We also have a praise and worship team that includes some of our high school students that performs in weekly chapels. Additionally, we host an annual talent show as a fundraiser for all of our chorus students, as well as various performances for events such as Grandparent’s Day, Thanksgiving, and chapels. Our preschool chorus will perform a separate Christmas concert of their own. It is our goal that each program we produce reaches the community to teach them about our faith through music, as well as praise and worship in Christ.
All preschool-fifth grade students participate in music class on a weekly basis. During class, we learn a variety of things including world music cultures, different musical genres, reading and notating music, how to sing, how to play instruments etc. Furthermore, our third and fifth graders have an additional instrument class where we study and practice music literacy and build up to learning, playing, and performing with instruments. Instruments we have studied with these classes include bucket drumming, boomwhackers, and recorders. Our goal this year is to work up to the ukulele. Beginning in fourth grade, HCS students also have the opportunity to take private instrument lessons with Mrs. Bergin on all band instruments such as flute, saxophone, trombone etc.
HCS and Mrs. Bergin are new members of the National Association for Music Education as well as the Orange County Music Educators Association. These memberships allow our students to have the opportunity to audition for All-County band and chorus, as well as participate in NYSSMA competitions and solo festivals.
Drama
This year at HCS we have added a Drama program that includes Middle and High school students who wish to explore the art of acting and stage design. Our very first production, The Magical Land of Oz, will take place in March of 2019. Students involved in drama explore who they are as individuals and who they are in Christ through a series of reflective journaling. HCS drama students have the opportunity to choose which route of theatre they would like to participate in acting or stage crew. During drama classes, we study basic theatre skills such as improvisation, emotional connection, character development, theatre history, stage managing, lighting, props/set making, singing, choreography, and overall growth and trust as members of the drama team.T
Harmony Christian School
Drama Class
presents
The Magical Land of Oz
March 29th and March 30th
7:00 p.m.
Presale tickets are available now:
$8.00 adults
$5.00 students
Congratulations to 11th grade student SARAH FALK for winning the competition to design the artwork for the show!
Piano Recitals
Each year there is a spring recital for all piano students under the direction of Nadene Long and voice\instrument students under the direction of Sandra Bergin.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Psalm 100:1-2
Music & Drama Director
Sandra Bergin
SANDI BERGIN
Music (vocal and instrumental)
Drama
Photography
Mrs. Bergin has proven, over the past few years, to be a wonderful addition to HCS! Our music and drama program is growing and thriving under her teaching, and our students are drawn to her, as she helps them find their voice, and grow in their confidence.
Of course, none of us will ever forget the exciting ending to our 2018 Spring concert, when Miss O'Hare was proposed to by Mr. Bergin!
Read on to learn more about her!
Favorite food?
“How can people pick just one food?! It’s so great! I guess if I had to choose It would be the standard pizza and ice cream answer...with a side of mac and cheese...and maybe some sour patch kids on top?”
Favorite type of music?
“Well given my field, I have to say I like most genres. I do have a tendency to gravitate towards the 70’s and 80’s though. Queen, Elton John, Michael Jackson, etc. My life goal is to see Billy Joel live.”
Hobbies?
“I love tabletop games! Anything and everything from cards to D and D; it’s a hobby I picked up in college that’s brought me so many fun memories and so many new, life-long, friends!
I also enjoy baking, I am not a pro by any means but it’s a great stress reliever!”
Favorite animal?
“WHALES. I got to see some this summer and joyfully weeped for about fifteen minutes! Also cats are a close second.”
Sports?
“Is flute a sport? I guess if I had to pick I enjoy watching football every now and then, but I am embarrassingly competitive so I avoid playing them for everyone else’s sake!”
Why you like teaching music?
“Even at a young age I was always a performer at heart, I never in a million years thought I would actually enjoy teaching, let alone be any good at it! However in my time at HCS, I have found that it is EXACTLY what I am meant to be doing, for so many reasons! There are always kids who are good at sports. There are also always kids who excel academically. BUT, the special part of music and drama and the arts in general I would say, is that it’s an area for those kids who might not get to shine anywhere else, to shine. It’s so rewarding to see students finally find their place and something they love. Sharing my love of music and theater and seeing students take it and run has just been incredible and I am so glad to be a part of it on a day to day basis! Some kids have no idea what they are capable of and I get to help them realize that, and THEN show it off at concerts and performances WHILE teaching them about Christ! It is truly a gift and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”
What led you to HCS?
“My mom actually! She briefly was teaching private instrument lessons the year before I was hired and was asked to apply. Instead, she knew I was just out of college and struggling so she told me to apply, the rest is history. Thanks Mom!”
What do you most enjoy about your time here?
“I love programming concerts and pushing my choirs to see what they can do. I cry a lot because they make me so proud, like at least once sometimes twice a week, I’m not joking. I am excited to add a drama production into the mix! Also I literally got proposed to here which was definitely enjoyable - lol!”
What are you most looking forward to throughout the school year?
“I am really enjoying teaching drama and photography and I am looking forward to seeing what the end result of both classes will be! Also, wedding planning.”
College/ Year Graduated?
“I went to Ithaca College where I studied Music Education and Flute Performance for a dual Bachelor’s degree, class of 2015.”
A little personal information?
“If you didn’t already know, I am engaged to computer teacher Mr. Bergin. We are planning our wedding for October 2019. I am so excited to be gaining the Bergins/Shaws as family to add to my own. I am the oldest of four, my three siblings, Delaney, Ellie, and Jacob are also singers/actors/
Piano Instructor
Nadene Long
NADENE LONG
Early Education Supervisor
K4 Teacher
6th Grade Science Teacher
Piano Teacher
Missions Coordinator
Ms. Long "wears many hats" at HCS, and is well known and loved for her dedication to each area where she is involved.
One thing that HCS parents appreciate most about her is her willingness to teach each child according to their individual styles, strengths, and abilities.
Read on to learn more about her!
"I have been at HCS since 2006.
I had originally entered college as Pre-Law. However my father was a pastor and was looking to start a school, and he wanted me to be a teacher. My oldest sister had already completed a Master's in Education and was working on a Doctorate, so I then switched to Education.
Since then, God has showed me that my calling is teaching, and working with all age groups. I have taught Pre-K through 8th grade, and have tutored for high school subjects.
There is not a specific age or grade that I like the most. I enjoy all of the ages and grades that I have been privileged to teach. I truly enjoy the students and learning how to teach toward each child's individual learning ability.
I am the youngest of 5 girls, and have 2 cats. I am the Children's Ministry Leader at my church.
I am an advocate for Wings of Refuge children's home in Haiti. It has been an amazing opportunity to travel there on several occasions with other HCS staff and students.
My education includes a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a Master's in Education, and Professional Development through Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Awards I have received are "Who's Who in National Registry", "Champion of Young Children", and "Recognizing Excellence in Early Childhood Education".
For 4 years, I coached cheerleading and brought a team to competition in Florida."
Looking for more information?
If you are in need of more information, please either click the button below and fill out the form on the contact page or contact the school office directly.
According to Niche.com, Harmony Christian School is ranked #3 Best Private High Schools in Orange County, NY and #19 Best Christian High Schools in NY State.
Be Our Guest
Schedule a visit to our school to learn more about the exciting opportunities that await your child.
Harmony Christian School
is part of
