The Artists-in-Residence program was begun about 30 years ago in the Watkins school district — initially at the Middle School under the auspices of nationally known cellist Hank Roberts of Ithaca and now-retired teacher Jim Murphy. It shifted eventually to the high school in the hands of instrumentalist Katie McShane and singer-fiddler Rosie Newton — who this year were accompanied by two other professionals who have helped before (multi-instrumentalist Dylan McKinstry, and bassist Jesse Heasly). The program was revived last year after a pandemic-forced absence.

The Artists-in-Residence, who help students in grades 5 through 12 prepare musical selections for performance in this culminating concert, offered a mix of vocals and instrumentals Wednesday night, the concert opening with a group of teachers singing "Hey Jude" and then teacher Travis Durfee singing "Something’s Rattling."

Student performances at the two-hour-plus concert included vocals by Julia Allen, teamed with clarinetist Cullen Metris for "The Star Spangled Banner": Arloween Loucks-Scuteri singing "All I Want"; Paisley Allen singing "Pride and Fear"; McKenzie Wheaton singing "Easy on Me"; Kambrie Thorpe singing "Glimpses of Us"; Callie Tohafjian and Sopheya Mathews singing "Someone Like You"; Rachel Perry, Nicole Perry and Piper Smith singing "Wolves": Brynn Smith singing "How Could You"; Nick Brusso singing "Ave Maria" and teaming with Lilac Cruz for "I Love You Too Much"; Madison Meisner and Lillian Weed singing "Lover"; Sarah Schaffner singing "Graceland Too"; and Lillian Artusa singing "Last Words of a Shooting Star" while at the piano, accompanied on electric guitar by Brandon Hollenback.

Instrumentals were by trumpeter Lucas Schubmehl ("The Star Wars Theme"), who later teamed with trumpeter Drew Popovich ("Sweet Caroline"); trombonist Eliza VanNess ("God Bless America"); Jade Spulak on the flute ("Evening in the Country"); alto saxophonist Topher Herforth ("I’m Blue"); clarinetist Samantha Austic ("How Far I’ll Go"); alto saxophonist Callan Schamel ("Alouette"); pianist Natalie VanSkiver ("Say Something"); the trio of Rowen Stegner and Keira Ells (clarinets) and Makenzie Fish (french horn) playing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"; Leah Bubb on flute and Jacob Bond-Trimble on piano playing "Hedwig’s Theme"; trombonists Lydia Schubmehl, Kasha Malysa and Emma Pendergast playing "Imperial March"; Cece Gaines on guitar, accompanying Nick Brusso and Lilac Cruz on their vocals; baritone saxophonist Elizabeth Fitzwater and clarinetist Elizabeth Metris playing "Careless Whisper"; and Lillian Artusa and Brandon Hollenback playing an electric guitar duet, "Lithium."

In the evening program distributed at the door, the Artists explained the philosophy behind what they do in Watkins Glen.

"At the heart of it," they wrote, "is the idea to elevate confidence, and to lift our students up by giving them a moment to share the stage with professional performers in front of their classmates, family, and community. Our goal is to leave them with a feeling of success and empowerment after the final performances."

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Photos in text:

Top: Natalie VanSkiver performs "Say Something" on the piano.
Second: Teacher Travis Durfee sings "Something’s Rattling."
Third: Artist-in-Residence Katie McShane. She and the three other mentoring musicians accompanied students on their concert performances.
Bottom: Emcees for the concert were Gillian D’Alleva, left, and Zade Gomez-Fitzsimmons.

Left: Jade Spulak on the flute, playing "Evening in the Country." Right: Madison Meisner, left, and Lillian Weed singing "Lover."

Left: Kambrie Thorpe sings "Glimpses of Us." Right: Lucas Schubmehl performs the "Star Wars Theme" on his trumpet.

Left: Sarah Schaffner performs "Graceland Too." Right: Nick Brusso sings "Ave Maria."