Florida’s very own Kristin Risedorph will be the guest conductor for the Sullivan County All-County Festival’s elementary chorus March 2.
“It’s quite an honor to be asked to conduct. I’m very excited,” shared Risedorph, who is a music teacher at Golden Hill Elementary.
Risedorph’s preparation began in early September with selecting pieces for the concert, considering theme and difficulty.
“One piece we’re performing is ‘Afternoon on a Hill.’ It’s a poem and it’s really beautiful,” Risedorph shared.
While students work on the pieces before arriving for rehearsal March 1, they only have a few hours to prepare as a whole group before their big performance.
Risedorph is not new to creating community with students from across different districts in such a short time. She has been the guest conductor for Ulster County twice and is looking forward to her first time conducting in Sullivan County.
“I want the students in all-county to be able to show everybody that you can make beautiful music with people that you just met,” said Risedorph.
Risedorph discovered a passion for music in high school, getting involved in band, chorus, select choir and plays. She went to the Crane School of Music, earned her master’s degree at the University of Connecticut, and has an advanced degree from Boston University in music education. She has been sharing her joyful spirit and knowledge of music with students at the Florida Union Free School District – and students throughout the region – for over 20 years.