Huntington Band Fest Just as Popular as Ever

Now in its ninth year, Band Fest at Huntington High School is more popular than ever. About 175 young musicians spread across grades 4-12 participated in the event last Saturday District music teachers volunteered their expertise, working who the students, who enthusiastically sharpened their skills, rehearsed and later performed.

The 9 a.m. kickoff featured a performance by the high school jazz ensemble directed by Jason Giachetti. Band Fest participants sat in the audience and were amazed by the talents of the high school jazz musicians. When the ensemble finished, the younger students gave the group a hearty round of applause.

Decked out in their Band Fest t-shirts, the student-musicians looked spectacular and sounded even better. The group was organized for sectional rehearsals based upon the instrument each of them played.

Sectionals were led by district faculty members Katherine Schmelter, Ashley Berrell, Chelsea Jablon, Tara Adams, Chris Scarnato, Frank Battista, Andre Rizzuto, Brian Stellato and Dr. Giachetti.

During the sectional rehearsals, the band directors were assisted by the Huntington High School wind and jazz ensemble members as they went about teaching Band Fest participants three brand new pieces of music.

Mr. Rizzuto and several high school marching band members led the younger students in a “march-off” competition in the gym. Within an hour the students had learned a series of marching band commands and movements, which they needed to recall when directed.

Anyone walking through the high school during game time could feel the building shake from the powerful pride in the voices of 175 students chanting “Go Blue.”

A pizza lunch followed the march-off. The lunch session allowed students to rest and socialize with one another.

Mrs. Adam and Ms. Jablon co-chaired the event. “It was a very great experience,” said Josue Granados Medrano, a Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School fifth grader. “I’m looking forward to going for years and still having a great time.”

Among about 175 participants were 125 young musicians and 50 high school students who signed up to be all-day “helpers.” This year’s theme was “movies.” Mrs. Adams arranged music.

Following lunch, the ninth annual edition of the Huntington Band Fest Band came together on stage for a mass rehearsal. Student-musicians rehearsed the three new pieces professionally and diligently and with noticeable camaraderie.

The high school wind ensemble sat among the festival band and played the new pieces beside them. The festival band had an opportunity to watch and listen in awe while the wind ensemble rehearsed their advanced repertoire. Many of the younger musicians could be seen fingering along, trying to catch some of the advanced notes as the older students played.

Mr. Battista conducted “Mission Impossible” with Dr. Giachetti conducting “Jurassic Park.” Mrs. Schmelter conducted “Let’s Go Band.”

“The district-wide Band Fest event gives younger Huntington musicians a chance to play alongside our older music students,” said Brian Stellato, director of fine and performing arts. “It’s such a wonderful, positive, and rewarding day.”

Participants were left energized and more enthusiastic than ever. “My favorite part of Band Fest was listening to the high school students play their piece because it gave us an example of what we should be doing,” said Haley Veliz Guardado, a Woodhull Intermediate School sixth grader.

The high school auditorium was filled with enthusiastic parents, friends and family members for the culminating performance. The district music teachers who helped make it all possible were thrilled with this year’s Band Fest turnout and with the efforts of the participants.

“My favorite part was the songs because we played many different styles and tempos of music in one concert,” Woodhull sixth grader Oliver Frintzilas said. “I loved listening to all the different parts.”