Nearly three dozen Huntington School District musicians and vocalists have been selected to participate in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association’s annual festival series in March.
Huntington has a tradition of sending a large delegation of top musicians to the SCMEA festival series. Students perform in one of three concerts depending upon their respective grade level. This year’s district contingent will include 34 musicians spread across grades 5-10.
“Every year, music teachers across Suffolk County nominate approximately 5,000 students for inclusion in the music ensembles,” said Eric Reynolds, Huntington’s director of fine and performing arts. “Only several hundred students are ultimately selected for each SCMEA divisional music festival. Having our students represent our school district and community in this prestigious festival highlights the excellence found inside our classrooms and rehearsal rooms.”
Huntington’s All-County performers include:
Huntington High School
Orchestra: Charlotte Gordon (viola), Joanna Lee (violin), Andrea Mani-Munoz (viola), Damaris Mani-Munoz (viola), Brooke Parks (viola)
Band: Vincenza Garofalo (bass clarinet), Samuel Soric (percussion)
Chorus: Jake Amend (tenor), Markus Fehrenbacher (bass), Emily Kustera (alto), Alexis Rodriquez (tenor), Jaden Roman (tenor), Josie Sullivan (soprano)
J. Taylor Finley Middle School
Orchestra: Matthew Jimenez (violin), Manpreet Kaur (double bass)
Band: Claire Parks (Bb clarinet), Dana Saramago (French horn)
Chorus: Kathleen Cocoman (soprano), Sergio Portillo (baritone)
Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School
Orchestra: Matthew Krull (violin), Christina Ponce (violin), Maya Schneider (violin)
Band: Bella Bernzweig (Bb clarinet), Jacob Boxer (alto saxophone), Bella Duke (French horn), Brady Duke (French horn), Joey Herman (trombone)
Chorus: Beatrix Hopkins (children’s voice)
Woodhull Intermediate School
Orchestra: Katherine Bautista (violin), Gabe MacManus (cello)
Band: Christian Guandique (flute)
Chorus: Elisabetta Arra (children’s voice), Iliana Jarmolowski (children’s voice), Cecilia Lee (children’s voice)
“The Huntington Fine and Performing Arts Department is grateful for the extraordinary commitment to music education from the board of education and district and building administration and for the unwavering support from our faculty and staff,” Mr. Reynolds said.
Performance Dates
All three SCMEA concerts will be held at Half Hollow Hills East High School in Dix Hills. The Division III (ninth and tenth grades) performance is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. The Division I (fifth and sixth grades) concert is set for Sunday, March 13 at 1 p.m. The Division II (seventh and eighth grades) performance will be held on Sunday, March 13 at 5 p.m.