Ranney Tri-M Junior Chapter Inducts Its Newest Members

Alexander Harley, founder of Tri-M® Music Honor Society said, “If we strive to cultivate musical sensitivity and perception in our students, we must likewise give adequate recognition for their efforts and achievements, and we must inspire them to strive for higher goals.” And so, it was only fitting that at the recent Junior Tri-M Music Honor Society, 21 new members were inducted into Ranney’s Chapter 4410 and awards were bestowed on several students recognizing their efforts and achievements.

Following a welcome from Kathleen Deeken, Head of Middle School, chapter officers explained to an audience of parents, teachers and friends the meaning of Tri-M. Tri-M is an international honor society sponsored by the National Association for Musical Education (MENC). It recognizes students for their musical and academic achievements as well as their community service accomplishments. There are more than 5,500 chapters worldwide.

Mrs. Deeken then presented the following new members, who were led in reciting the membership pledge by Chapter Vice President Alexandra Seneca: Alec Bijou, Erik Bovino, Sean Callahan, Alex Catave, Audrey Effenberger, Ian Farber, Gabriel Georges, Jacqueline Lee, Jessica Nicholson, Celeste Pallone, Grant Parker, Mohnish Rachuru, Carl Rivera, Elizabeth Roberts, Colleen Ross, Tristan Sickles, George Thomas, George Timmons, Chloe Triolo, Jillian Villany and Anna Xia.

In offering a congratulatory message to the inductees, Performing Arts Chair and Senior Chapter 5275 advisor Tess Nielsen noted, “Ranney School has the distinction of having both a Junior and Senior Chapter. It is the only honor society at the school to have chapters at both the Middle and Upper School level.”

Lillianne Torrente, Lower and Middle School music teacher and Junior Tri-M advisor relayed some exciting news guests, when she announced that Ranney’s Junior Tri-M Chapter was recently named 2008/2009 Tri-M National “Chapter of the Year” in the Junior Division by the MENC. Ranney’s Tri-M Chapter was chosen from approximately 375 chapters worldwide.

The Tri-M National Chapter of the Year program is designed to motivate and reward chapters that develop active service projects, encourage chapter officers to perform their duties properly, and bring about more awareness and interest in what other Tri-M chapters are doing. Winning chapters receive scholarship funds for summer music study. Ranney will, therefore, receive an $800 student scholarship to be awarded at the discretion of the Chapter Advisors.

This is the second time in two years that Ranney’s Junior Tri-M has been recognized by MENC. In 2008, Chapter 4410 received 2nd runner up honors in this same category.

Ceremonies continued with special Tri-M awards being given to students, recognizing their commitment to the mission of Tri-M, leadership and music participation. Mrs. Torrente presented Amy Sollitti with the Tri-M Outstanding Service Award, which recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional service, working with or on behalf of others, without monetary or material compensation. Recipients are also very involved in music and with their Tri-M Chapter.

Jordan Hesslein and Alexandra Senneca both received the Tri-M Outstanding Leadership Award, presented by band director Kevin Cotter. This award recognizes the leadership qualities of the Chapter’s most active and accomplished members in addition to their involvement in music.

Dr. Dorothy Sobieski, strings teacher and Chapter 4410 co-advisor, bestowed on violinist Lukas Vlahos, the Tri-M Master Musician Award, which recognizes students who excel in music, are highly qualified as performers with basic skills in music theory. Those receiving this award must have demonstrated measurable success in performance and be particularly active in performing at school and community functions.

The final award of the day, the Honor Membership Presentation, was presented by Alexandra Seneca to John Doyle, Middle School Performing Arts teacher, for his dedication to music and student musicians.

In a finale appropriate to the festivities, the Middle School String closed with a performance “Entrance of Queen of Sheba” and the Chorus sang “Sing Alleluia, Alleluia.”

For additional information on all Ranney School news, please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.