Huntington’s Young Musicians Turn Out for Band Fest

A crowd of about 200 young musicians filled Huntington High School last Saturday for the district’s Band Fest 2024. Student-musicians spread across grades 4-12 descended on the high school for a day of fun.

Huntington UFSD band teachers led participants in rehearsals throughout the day. Teachers brought students through sectionals, going over various parts of music prior to the big finale concert that traditionally caps off the day.

This marked Huntington’s 10th annual Band Fest and even with age, the initiative hasn’t grown old. The sprawling event was co-chaired by Huntington music teachers Chelsea Jablon and Tara Adams

The day began at 9 a.m. sharp with a well-received performance by the high school’s jazz ensemble under the direction of longtime music teacher Dr. Jason Giachetti. Sporting their Band Fest t-shirts, the younger students enthusiastically clapped for the high school jazz soloists.

Participants then split into sectional rehearsals by instrument. Southdown/Jefferson general music teacher Ashley Berrell taught the trombone/baritone sectional; Finley band director Chris Scarnato led the horn/saxophone sectional; fourth grade band director Katherine Schmelter taught the clarinet sectional with sixth grade band director Chelsea Jablon handling the flute sectional.

Fifth grade band director Tara Adams taught the low brass/low woodwind sectional with high school band director Andre Rizzuto guiding the trumpet sectional and Dr. Giachetti, also a high school band director joining with Finley band director Frank Battista to teach the percussion sectional.

During the sectional rehearsals, the band directors were assisted by the high school wind ensemble students to teach three brand new pieces of music. “It was awe-inspiring for the band directors to watch the high school students teach the Finley, Woodhull and primary musicians,” Ms. Jablon said. “The high school students not only taught notes and rhythms, but they were extremely eager to share their passion for the band program.”

Mr. Rizzuto and several high school marching band members led the younger students in a “march off” competition. Within one hour, the students learned a series of marching band commands and movements, which they had to remember when directed. Anyone walking through the high school during game time could feel the building shake from the powerful pride in the voices of 200 students chanting “Go Blue.”

A pizza lunch was coordinated by the Band Parent Association of Huntington. “The success of the band parents’ efficient efforts could be matched only by their sincere kindness throughout the day,” Ms. Adams said.

The Band Fest Festival Band came together on stage for a mass rehearsal. Students rehearsed the three new pieces they had learned professionally and diligently with great comaraderie. The high school wind ensemble sat among the festival band members and played the new pieces beside them.

The festival band also had the opportunity to watch and listen with amazement 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.

The high school auditorium was filled with excited parents, friends and family members in support of this year’s theme of “Music Is Magic!” The program included medleys from “Encanto” and “Harry Potter” and students received magical mood rings, Harry Potter glasses and wands, invisible ink pens and other magical surprises throughout the day.

Sixth grader Dean Michaelian summed it up pretty well when spotted first thing in the hallway Monday morning. “I really like when everyone played together with all of the high school and middle school kids,” he said. “Everything sounded so good!”

It really was a magical day for all in attendance.