Dondero music teacher Diane McGee retires this spring, and the fourth and fifth graders (with a little help from some of Diane's former students) paid wonderful tribute to her in song.
The city wide concert for the Portsmouth Public Schools is a honored tradition. The elementary band and beginner string ensemble show off their newly aquired skills, a chorus from one of Portsmouth's three elementary schools is invited to perform, the intermediate string ensemble is featured, as well as the many high school performing groups - the percussion ensemble, jazz band, chorus, and concert band. The sheer number of participants in each group (all were quite large) is a testament to the excellent work our public school music teachers are doing.
It is a tradition at these concerts to recognize career milestones for our teachers, especially retirement. And with Diane McGee retiring in the coming weeks, the kids from Dondero pulled out all stops to honor their teacher. Wendell Purrington, with the help of Dondero's fourth and fifth grade teachers and Little Harbour Elementary School's music teacher Gina Brannigan, put together a farewell number for Mrs. McGee - "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music. Joining the chorus were many of Mrs. McGee's former students, who now sing with the Middle School and High School choruses. It was a touching send off - there were few dry eyes in the house by the time the kids finished. And it was an honor that Mrs. McGee deserved - for she dedicated thirty years to the Portsmouth Public Schools, and has been a community leader on issues of education. Bravo to the kids of Dondero, and thank you Diane. I hope to see you often around town, but know that the students of Dondero will miss your daily presence, mentorship, and teaching. Be well.
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