Huntington High School Tri-M Honor Society members are the cream of the crop. The master musicians trekked into New York City last Thursday night to watch a performance of WICKED, one of Broadway’s most popular shows.
A contingent of 45 Tri-M members was accompanied by faculty advisors Brian Stellato and Victoria Garbarino, drama club advisor Michael Schwendemann, art teacher Alison Hagedorn and Blue Devil marching band staff member Jennifer Schmelter.
The group settled into their seats in the Gershwin Theatre on West 51st Street in the heart of the theater district and felt right at home when the curtain went up at 7 p.m.
“Having seen the show when it originally came out on Broadway years ago, my own excitement came from the fact that the majority of the students were seeing it for the first time,” Mr. Stellato said. “They all had a great time.”
The nearly four dozen Tri-M members who made the trip into Manhattan enjoyed the experience. “I'm really grateful to be a part of Tri-M,” junior Katherine DeGennaro said. “Mr. Stellato always manages to put together a great trip for us and seeing Wicked with some of my favorite people will definitely be memorable. The show was amazing.”
Tri-M’s executive board includes Adina Kirkland (president), Christopher Chang (vice-president), Amelia Maggio (secretary), Joshua Yanuck (treasurer) and Mia Nitekman (historian).
The name Tri-M is derived from the international honor society’s original name: Modern Music Masters. Candidates for membership are required to demonstrate scholarship, achievement, leadership and service. The group has traditionally been one of Huntington’s most active and prestigious honor societies.
“This is my third year in Tri-M and my second trip to Broadway and it has truly been a memorable experience,” Maggie Giles said. “It’s a convenient and affordable way for musicians across all three branches of the music department at the high school to come together and celebrate our hard work. Mr. Stellato and Ms. Garbarino picked a great trip for my senior year.”
