Exceptional Finley Musicians
Perform at Hofstra
The Huntington School District has produced out some exceptional young musicians over the years. That tradition appears to have many more years of life in it.
A select group of 20 seventh graders from J. Taylor Finley Middle School recently participated in the eighth annual Hofstra University Middle School Honors Band Festival.
Finley's representatives included Johnny Arceri (tuba), Cole Blackburn (tuba), Dylan DelGiudice (alto saxophone), Nancy Fallon (trumpet), Vincent Fredericks (bass clarinet), Jack Gallagher (bass clarinet), Richard Garger (trumpet), Sydney Jean-Baptiste (tuba), Melanie Lanham-Ciancia (French horn), Sophia Latt (flute), Jack Malone (bass clarinet), Danielle Melgar (baritone), Alexandra Mills (clarinet), Annalise Mozer (tuba), Hallie Raskin (French horn), Savannah Richardson (clarinet), Bailey Riordan (French horn), Jackson Spector (percussion), Olivia Stamatatos (flute) and Hanae Wada (clarinet).
Dozens of Long Island districts were represented at the festival, but the Finley contingent was among the largest of any district. The group was accompanied by Finley band director Frank Battista.
The young musicians who performed earned rave reviews. "It is truly amazing that 400-plus seventh graders can sound this incredible with only four hours of rehearsal," Mr. Battista said. "Our Finley students were true professionals and were a wonderful representation of our program."
The annual event is designed to enhance the education and development of young band performers and reward them for their past accomplishments. It brings together the Hofstra wind ensemble and symphonic band with elite seventh grade band students from Nassau, Suffolk and Queens.
Over the course of the two-day program, the Finley students learned important performance techniques and gained insight into the composer's works. The band rehearsed on the campus the day before the full concert.
This year's festival included musicians from 52 schools. The event was hosted by Peter L. Boonshaft, Hofstra's director of bands. Sean O'Loughlin served as the guest conductor.
About 110 Hofstra band students were spread out among the 400 seventh graders. The Hofstra ensemble members worked with their younger counterparts during the rehearsal and then alongside them during the formal performance. The 500-piece ensemble performed seven of Mr. O'Loughlin's compositions inside the spacious Hofstra Arena.
Participating students received the music that was played several weeks in advance so they could prepare. Each student was responsible for learning their music before the first rehearsal.
"The Hofstra University students always do an incredible job with the seventh graders," Mr. Battista said. "Each year our students come back inspired and excited because of these fine college performers."
The Finley seventh graders were chosen based on their New York State School Music Assn. (NYSSMA) scores from last year. Hofstra allowed Finley to include a large number of students this year.
Two Huntington School District music teachers who play in the Hofstra band also performed during the festival. Chelsea Jablon (flute) and Anthony Pomponio (contrabass clarinet) are Hofstra ensemble members.