Huntington's Top Musicians Recognized
Two dozen of Huntington High School's most outstanding musicians have been recognized as being among the best in the county and the state.
The All-County honorees include orchestra members Brian Gilbert, Melanie Grossman, Christian Jamison, Ashley Melgar, Benjamin Nikodem and Monica Owen, band members Matthew Beeby, Nina Flores, Francesca Gray, Brianna Kirkland, Collin Richardson, Joshua Solomowitz and Kevin Solomowitz, mixed chorus members Mattison Chadwick, Kyle Dorward, Alexa Gorczycki, Joshua Morris, Benjamin Rosen-Packard, Stephanie Shea and Joshua Stickell and women's choir members Brianne Bennett, Chelsea Holmes, Alexa Kaplan and Anna Schiffmacher.
Ms. Melgar, Ms. Kirkland and Ms. Bennett and Messrs. Beeby, Richardson and Stickell also garnered All-State honors. Ms. Flores, Ms. Palmer and Mr. Jamison were named as All-State alternates.
"What a tremendous honor for these talented students and their teachers," Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. "Their contributions and accomplishments maintain Huntington's reputation as having established among the finest high school music programs in the county and state. It is a genuine privilege to hear these kids perform!"
The All-State performers will participate in the 77th New York State School Music Association All-State Music Festival at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester on November 29-December 2.
The All-County honorees will perform in the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education/Suffolk County Music Educators Association All-County Festival at Northport High School on Friday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. The gifted Huntington musicians will participate in bands, orchestras and choruses along with similarly talented young musicians from other Suffolk school districts.
The All-County Festival typically draws a standing room only crowd as it is the only one of its kind that features representatives from every high school in Suffolk. All-State honorees usually comprise most of the high school All-County Festival, so the fact that Huntington had several non-All-State performers chosen for the festival demonstrates just how talented these teenagers are.
It is considered a "big honor" to be included in one the All-County ensembles, said Joan R. Fretz, Huntington's district director of fine and performing arts.