Nothing is insurmountable to Huntington High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society, which is off to a great start to the 2020/21 school year despite the COVID-19 pandemic and all the restrictions it has required on a daily basis.
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 year’s Tri-M leadership team includes executive board members Grace Wildermuth (president), Carrie Kilgour (vice president), Eliana Ng (treasurer), Katherine Eichenberger (secretary) and Lauren Holly (historian). Teachers Victoria Garbarino and Brian Stellato serve as the organization’s faculty advisors.
“Like the other clubs and honor societies, Tri-M has moved to virtual meetings this year,” Ms. Wildermuth said. “At each meeting, we have a small performance by one of our members. It’s a great opportunity to perform and it’s fun and inspiring to hear what people are working on.”
Applications for new member candidates will be released shortly after Thanksgiving with a late January induction ceremony planned. Students who are interested in applying and have questions are encouraged to reach out to one of the officers or faculty advisors.
“We’re currently working on plans that follow social distancing guidelines,” Ms. Wildermuth said. “We typically visit the Carillon nursing home to sing and play Christmas carols. This year, we’ll be recording videos of our Christmas carols instead. We hope it will embody the same holiday spirit as the in-person trip.”
To qualify for Tri-M membership students must be enrolled in at least one music class for at least one semester, have at least a 2.0 grade point average in their core classes and a 3.0 in their music classes and be of strong character.
Huntington students are also required to perform a NYSSMA solo or ensemble selection at a Level 5 scoring 95 or above, Level 6 scoring 94 or above or Level 6 All-State scoring 93 or above in the school year prior to submitting their application.
“Tri-M is in the process of setting up a music mentoring program, where current members would give lessons to younger Huntington musicians over Zoom,” Ms. Wildermuth said. “We recognize that the hybrid schedule is tough on beginner players and lessons with the older kids would be educational and encouraging. Music events that bring together students at all grade levels, like String Fiesta and Band Fest are always really exciting for the younger kids and the older kids and we think this will be similar.”
