Thirty-two talented and skilled musicians were inducted into the Tri-M Honor Society Hamburg Area High School Chapter 3173 on Wednesday night, Jan. 14, in the high school auditorium.
“We are very proud of our musician/scholars and are pleased that our school board and district administration supported our efforts to honor these students by activating the Tri-M chapter at Hamburg High School,” said Dr. Christine Ryan, choir director, on behalf of herself, Mrs. Angela Dowd (orchestra director) and Miss Megan Reimer (band director). “We know that these students are musical leaders and are always willing to serve the community through their music. Now, through Tri-M, they can work together to promote music in our community through performances and other service projects.”
Though the chapter was initiated in the early 2000s, it has not been active making this induction the first at the school.
The induction event began with the introduction and traditional induction ceremony featuring a welcome from Reimer, Ryan and Dowd. Following was the Tri-M Pledge and the presentation of Tri-M pin emblems and membership cards.
The international music honor society is for middle/junior high and high school students and is designed to recognize students for their academic and musical achievements, reward them for their accomplishments and service activities, and to inspire other students to excel at music and leadership, according to the honor society’s website. Currently there are more than 5,500 chartered chapters. Tri-M is a program of the National Association for Music Education.
After the presentation of pins and membership cards, there were five performances by newly inducted students. Performers were: Marita Gattone and Samantha Livingston with “On my Own,” Jose Falarza with “The Impossible Dream,” Hannah Schreffler with “Unusual Way,” Kaylah Lenhart with “Reason to Sing,” and a string quartet made up of Jessica Trifaro, Jenn Guldin, Elizabeth Brown and Dowd performing “Tangerine Rag.”
Following the recital was a reception.
Tri-M candidates must participate in a school music ensemble or class for at least one semester. They must maintain a B average in music as well as at least a B average in all other classes. Students must also participate in community service activities and demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship).
Newly inducted Tri-M members are: Christopher Argot, Gaetana Argot, Elizabeth Boyce, Elizabeth Brown, Joseph Dalton, Eileen Deisemann, Jayde Dries, Nicole Eberhardt, Brittany Freed, Jose Falarza, Marita Gattone, Jennifer Guldin, Dillon Hamilton, Christian Keener, Thomas Kissinger, Cody Knight, Dakota Kolbe, Kaylah Lenhart, Adam Lenz, Samantha Livingston, Christopher O’Neill, Yelitza Pagan, Brandon Porter, Hannah Schreffler, Gabriela Simons, Taylor Smith, Hannah Stertzel, Betsy Stickler, Jessica Trifaro, Bryce Wagner, Avery Werley and Sarah Yoder.
