Huntington's Young Musicians
Earn Honors
That Huntington High School has many of the best young musicians on Long Island, if not the state, hardly qualifies as news at this point. Yet, it still must be recognized as a remarkable achievement for any one music program to have so many talented performers.
At this fall's All-County Festival in the cavernous Half Hollow Hill East High School auditorium, Huntington was once again well represented at the most competitive level of ensembles.
"This festival is for grades 11 and 12 only," explained Joan R. Fretz, Huntington's district director of fine and performing arts. "Students had only three rehearsals and performed a professional level concert under the baton of renowned conductors."
Huntington orchestra students Jeffrey Sun (violin 1), Joseph D'Esposito (violin 2), Andrew Ku (cello), Oliver Lockwood (cello) and Adam Cerini (Bb clarinet), band members Michael Marchetta (string bass) and Mia Rienzo (flute 2) were joined by chorus members Mercury Caronia (tenor 1-mixed choir), Mary-Liz O'Neill (soprano 2-mixed choir), Anna Harris (alto 2-mixed choir), Lauren Corcoran (soprano 2-women's choir) and Laura Zenzerovich (soprano 1-women's choir) participated in the All-County Festival.
Mikah Feldman-Stein (alto saxophone) and Tyler Moore (drums) qualified for the All-County jazz band. Collin Richardson (trombone) earned recognition as an alternate.
Three Huntington students were selected for the 75th annual New York State School Music Association's All-State conference last week in Rochester. Mr. Feldman-Stein (alto saxophone-All-State Jazz ensemble), Ms. Harris (alto-women's chorus) and Ms. Liz-O'Neil (soprano-women's chorus) were all chosen. (Ms. O'Neil was unable to make the trip north.) Andrew Ku (cello-orchestra) was picked as an All-State alternate.
"These students had an opportunity to play with the top students from all across New York State in the All-State ensembles," Ms. Fretz said. Mr. Feldman-Stein is Huntington's first-ever participant in the All-State Jazz ensemble, an achievement that "delighted" the Huntington music department, according to Ms. Fretz.
"Mikah is a very talented jazz saxophonist," Ms. Fretz said. "He was very excited to have this rare opportunity. The All-State Jazz ensemble is a very small and select group.
Ms. Harris was also selected as an All-Eastern alternate. "Outstanding students who were selected for All-State also may apply for consideration for the All-Eastern festival ensembles, which perform at the MENC All-Eastern conference in March," Ms. Fretz said. "We won't know if Anna will be offered a spot for a while, but it's an honor to be selected as an alternate."