A Showcase of Excellence
Music And Performing Arts
Music And Performing Arts Headlines

Huntington’s SCOPE Summer Enrichment Registration Open
Don’t miss out on this year’s SCOPE summer music and arts enrichment program, which will run from Monday, June 26 through Friday, July 21. Huntington UFSD is once again collaborating with SCOPE on the initiative, which will be co-directed by teachers Jenna Merget and Nicole Lynch. The program will feature 29 courses in all.

Standing Ovation for First Ever Huntington Arts Night
Last week’s first ever Huntington Arts Night at Huntington High School has been described as a “rousing success” by district officials. It left participants feeling energized. Planning has already begun on next year’s event.

Celebrate the Arts in Huntington Tonight
A celebration of the arts in Huntington UFSD will be held tonight at Huntington High School. The first ever Huntington Arts Night promises to be fun for everyone. There will be artwork on display, two crafts activities for youngsters and a concert featuring district music faculty members and affiliated musicians.

Enchanting Night for the Arts on Monday, March 6
An enchanting night for the arts is set for Monday, March 6 at Huntington High School. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 with proceeds to benefits Huntington UFSD’s arts-in-education program.

Tri-M Honor Society Inducts 31 New Members
Huntington High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter embraced 31 new members during Wednesday night’s induction ceremony in the School Heritage Museum.

Huntington Highsteppers Entertain Halftime Crowd
Huntington High School’s competitive dance team, the Highsteppers entertained a large crowd at halftime of last Friday night’s varsity boys’ basketball game between the Blue Devils and visiting Bay Shore.

Huntington Musicians Tapped for SCMEA Festivals
Dozens of Huntington School District musicians and vocalists have been selected to participate in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association’s annual festival series in 2023.

Brian Stellato Appointed Director of Fine & Performing Arts
Huntington School Board members have appointed Brian Stellato to serve as Huntington UFSD director of fine and performing arts effective December 13. He has been the department’s coordinator since April.

Brass Ensemble Entertains at Board of Ed Meeting
Huntington High School’s highly regarded brass ensemble entertained the crowd at Monday night’s public meeting of the Huntington School Board in Adam Spector Auditorium at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School.

H-ton Musicians Perform at Suffolk Business Luncheon
Suffolk school business officials were impressed as they filed into their holiday gathering and took their seats at the Hamlet in Commack. A group of nine sensational Huntington High School musicians were on hand to entertain the crowd of 175, which included representatives from dozens of county school districts.

Winter Concert Series Begins Tuesday
‘Tis the season. Huntington UFSD will help folks get into the spirit of the season at a series of free winter concerts involving students from all eight school buildings.

Huntington Musicians Selected for LI String Festival
Two dozen Huntington School District musicians have been selected to perform in this winter’s Long Island String Festival concerts.

Senior Duo Named to All-County Music Ensembles
Huntington High School seniors Samuel James and Cecilia Kye were named to the junior-senior New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education’s All-County ensembles.
Music And Performing Arts Information
- Art & Music Pride Award Recipients - February 2023
- Huntington UFSD SCMEA All-County Musicians
- Huntington UFSD December Concert Series 2022
- HHS Class of 2020 Members Planning to Major in Fine & Performing Arts in College
- HHS Class of 2019 Members Planning to Major in Fine & Performing Arts in College
Huntington’s Arts in Education program is an integral part of the educational experience at all grade levels in the district. The arts provide an exciting, participatory approach to learning that enriches all areas of the school curriculum. The Arts in Education Committee researches and plans both cultural arts and exploratory programs that are linked directly to core curriculum concepts and skills. Students participate in a wide range of experiences, from seeing their own pieces of creative writing performed by professional actors and chatting with famous authors to working with real scientists and “meeting” characters from American history.
Funding for Arts in Education programs is provided annually by each school’s PTA unit. The district’s Office of Fine and Performing Arts and the PTA Council oversees the Arts in Education Committee.
The Arts in Education program presents programs designed to enhance the study of children’s literature, the humanities, mathematics, science, fine and performing arts, health and character education. Some recent and reoccurring programs and artists have included Japanese Storytelling with Mime, Mask and Music with Kuniko Yamamoto, author Tracey Delio, Theatre Three presenting From the Fires – Voices of the Holocaust, and Shakespeare workshops by Stages on Sound.
Upcoming Performances
- Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
- Gemini Youth Orchestras
- Long Island String Festival Association
- Music Wakes up the Brain
- MUSAIC
- Suffolk County Music Educators Association
- National Association for Music Education
- Long Island Orff-Schulwerk Association
- Metropolitan Opera
- Carnegie Hall
- New York Philharmonic
- Brooklyn Academy of Music
- American Symphony Orchestra
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
- New York Youth Symphony
- Juilliard
- New York State School Music Association
- New York State Music Teachers Association
- New York State Field Band Conference
- New York Theatre Ballet
- New York City Ballet
- American Ballet Theatre
- New York City Opera
About the Music And Performing Arts Program

Important Role in Education
The Performing Arts play an important role in the Huntington educational program. From kindergarten through their high school years, students learn to read, write, create and perform music. The elementary classroom music program in Huntington serves as a model for music literacy instruction nationally. The instrumental and choral music training which begins in fourth grade provides small group weekly instruction as well as ensemble rehearsal experience for all performing groups.
All-American Music City
Huntington’s music program is well represented in the county and state music festivals each year. The high school takes great pride in having one of largest symphonic orchestras in the state, and being represented nationally by the renowned Huntington Blue Devil marching band.
Exciting Dance and Performance Ensembles
Our performing arts program includes annual theatrical performances in the intermediate, middle and high schools as well as theater arts electives in the high school. Students interested in dance competition may audition for the Highstepper dance team or Step team.

Music And Performing Arts Leadership

Brian Stellato
Director of Fine and Performing Arts
Huntington School Board members have appointed Brian Stellato to serve as Huntington UFSD director of fine and performing arts effective December 13. He has been the department’s coordinator since April.
After holding teaching positions in the Southampton and Sachem school districts, Mr. Stellato came to Huntington High School as a band director in the fall of 2006. He has directed the junior symphonic high school band comprised of freshmen and sophomores, the high school wind ensemble and the Blue Devil marching band.
Mr. Stellato obtained a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in education at Stony Brook, where he is currently pursuing an advanced graduate certificate in educational leadership and administration.
Mr. Stellato has been an instructional staff member for the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy, the nation’s foremost leadership summer program, helping band members improve and develop their leadership, communication, conducting and teaching skills in order to become a stronger asset to their school program. He has also served as the coordinator of Huntington UFSD’s summer arts program, provided in collaboration with SCOPE.
Mr. Stellato lives in Huntington UFSD with his wife Jenny. Together they are the proud parents of two children.
Course Offerings and Listings
Huntington HS
Music And Performing Scope and Sequence
Year by Year course offerings
Courses
- Choose 1 Course from Below
- Junior Band
- Junior Band Competitive Honors
- String Orchestra
- Concert Choir
- Music Theory
Courses
- Choose 1 Course from Below
- Junior Band
- Junior Band Competitive Honors
- String Orchestra
- Concert Choir
- Chamber Choir Honors
- AP Music Theory
Courses
- Choose 1 Course from Below
- Junior Band
- Junior Band Competitive Honors
- Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra Honors
- Concert Choir
- Chamber Choir Honors
- AP Music Theory
Courses
- Choose 1 Course from Below
- Junior Band
- Junior Band Competitive Honors
- Symphony Orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra Honors
- Concert Choir
- Chamber Choir Honors
- AP Music Theory
Note: To fulfill the graduation requirement of one credit in Music, students may take Band, Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, or Music Theory.
The courses and performing groups of the Music Department are designed to meet the needs, interests and talents of all high school students. The courses present the students with opportunities to study music from a technical aspect, learn to understand and appreciate music through listening, and develop self-expression through participation in the various instrumental and choral performing groups.
Students who plan to specialize in music or music education as a career are urged to begin music theory studies as early as possible during their high school years. It is also recommended that students specializing in music should engage in maximum participation in one or more of the music performing organizations.
BAND - Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Course #640 - Junior Band (9/10); Course #640H - Junior Band Competitive Honors (9/10); Course #641 - Senior Band (11/12); Course #641H - Senior Band Competitive Honors (11/12) (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Prerequisite: Satisfactory progress in Middle School or by audition. These courses each satisfy the one credit in Music required for graduation. The Band program is a comprehensive program which includes community events and concert band training and performances. Students, during the first quarter, must elect to be in the Competitive Marching Band or Pep Band.
Students who wish to participate in the Competitive Marching Band will prepare a field show, which is performed at a variety of competitions regionally throughout the fall and at halftime performances during all Saturday home football games. Competitive Marching Band members are required to attend two evening rehearsals per week as well as Saturday and Sunday practices and performances during the first quarter. Competitive Marching Band members receive a weighted grade for this additional work and commitment.
The Huntington Blue Devil Marching Band has earned national acclaim as one of the finest competitive bands on Long Island. To date, the band has multiple top awards in the NY State Field Band Conference including 2nd place in 2018 and 2017 and LS3 State Champions in 2014. The Band also performed in the Main Street Parade in Disney World in 2017.MEDIA ART - Course #620 (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Recommended for students interested in a course of study in the digital arts such as computer graphics, photography, cartooning, and animation. Prerequisite: None This entry level course will explore some of the most innovative and exciting modern art movements through the use of digital media. Students will be introduced to the basics of animation, and programs including Photoshop and Illustrator. This course is a great foundation for any student looking to continue their exposure in Computer Graphics, Photography or Video. This course satisfies the one credit in Art required for graduation.
Students who wish to participate in the Pep Band will prepare music during the first quarter for four Saturday home football games as well as tentative playoff games. Rehearsals will take place during the school day.
All band students will audition for seating in concert band at the end of the first quarter. The JUNIOR BAND consists of students in 9th and 10th grade and performs level III-IV music. The SENIOR BAND consists of students in 11th and 12th grade and performs level V-VI music. The two concert bands perform at several school concerts and special functions throughout the remainder of the school year.
REQUIREMENTS:All members of the Band course are required to participate in either Competitive Marching Band or the Pep Band for the first quarter.
Dates for rehearsals and performances will be posted online as soon as these dates are available.
IMPORTANT: Students who choose to participate in the Competitive Marching Band MUST attend the Summer Band Camp. For questions about rehearsal and performance requirements, please contact Mr. Stellato at bstellato@hufsd.edu.
CONCERT CHOIR - Course #643 (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: An interest in singing and a simple voice test. Concert Choir is a course for students who would like to study proper vocal technique, sight-singing and music literacy while preparing and performing musical selections from a variety of styles, cultures and languages. Attendance at rehearsals, rotating group voice lessons and concerts is mandatory for all students. This course satisfies the one credit in Music required for graduation.
CHAMBER CHOIR HONORS - Course #644H (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Satisfactory progress in Concert Choir and successful audition. Open to exceptionally skilled students with teacher’s recommendation and successful audition. The Honors Choir is a small select choir that presents concerts in the community as well as joining with the Concert Choir in their concerts. Attendance at all extra rehearsals and concerts is mandatory. Members are expected to attend voice lessons every week. The Chamber Choir is a NYSSMA level V and VI performing group and consistently performs at a high level of musicianship. Students are required to learn their own program music as well as the concert choir repertoire. Chamber Choir students receive a weighted grade for their additional commitment.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Course #646 SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HONORS – Course #646H (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 11, 12 Prerequisite: Satisfactory progress in high school string orchestra or NYSSMA V A+ rating. Open to exceptionally skilled 10th graders with teacher recommendation. The course includes the study and performances of great masterpieces of orchestral compositions, developing playing skills, and understanding compositional ideas. This course satisfies the one credit in Music required for graduation.
There are at least three evening concerts per year, each performance preceded by an evening dress rehearsal. Students are required to be at all concerts and dress rehearsals. Students may also audition for Chamber Orchestra, an advanced string ensemble that rehearses at night.
The Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra consistently performs music at a level V and VI.
NOTE: Advanced members of the Symphony Orchestra may audition to participate in Symphony Orchestra Honors - Course #646H. Students who successfully audition for the Honors course are required to participate in the Chamber Orchestra and an Honors String Quartet. These activities require the preparation of a significant amount of additional music as well as participation in numerous community service performances. Students in Symphony Orchestra Honors receive a weighted grade for this additional commitment.
STRING ORCHESTRA - Course #645 (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 9, 10 This course is for all 9th and 10th grade string students. This orchestra experience includes the study of NYSSMA Level III - V string literature. In addition, the Concert Orchestra studies several symphonic orchestra pieces and performs with the Symphony Orchestra. Concert Orchestra performs at least three evening concerts per year, each preceded by an evening dress rehearsal. Students are required to be at all concerts and dress rehearsals. This course satisfies the one credit in Music required for graduation.
MUSIC THEORY - Course #648 (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Recommended for students who have an interest in music. No previous music reading experience is required. Required for: Regents Music Sequence This course presents a study of basic music theory: fundamentals, chords, four-part composition, dictation, and rhythmic training. It is the first course of a major sequence. This course satisfies the one credit in Music required for graduation.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) MUSIC THEORY - Course #649 (1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12 Recommended for: The music major - 2nd course music major sequence. Prerequisite: Music Theory I or approval of instructor. This course presents advanced concepts of music theory and a major concentration of the development of the ear. AP Music Theory is designed to enable the student to understand music theory in depth. This course prepares the student for college study of music or for serious music understanding and research. Students will be required to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory Exam at the completion of the course. This is a full year, college level course which receives a weighted grade.
SPECIAL AND HONORS ENSEMBLES: Membership in all Honors Ensembles is by audition, with priority given to students who are enrolled in one of the High School Major Performance Courses (Band, Orchestra, Choir, or Chamber Choir). Students not enrolled in a performance course may audition only if a seat is available.
A CAPPELA CHOIR The a cappella ensemble performs music of several genres, including pop. The groups perform at several venues throughout the year including concerts at the High School. Skill in sight-singing is highly desired, as there is no piano used and students must constantly use their musicianship skills. Rehearsals are held two hours a week after school.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE Rehearsals are held one evening per week. All styles of jazz are studied including swing, Latin, bebop, rock and contemporary. Development of improvisation skills is a priority. Attendance is mandatory. This honors ensemble is by audition only. Several performances within and outside the district are planned each year. This is a highly selective ensemble.
WIND ENSEMBLE This is an advanced level band which performs level VI music. Rehearsals are held one evening per week. Attendance is mandatory. This honors ensemble is by audition only. The Wind Ensemble will perform at several school concerts and special functions throughout the year.
ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ENSEMBLE Along with the High School Orchestra, there is also a CHAMBER ENSEMBLE, a highly advanced and select group. Membership is by audition or through teacher’s invitation. Rehearsals are held one evening per week. The repertoire is college level. Occasionally there are pieces with some wind parts. Several performances in and out of school are planned throughout the year.
WINTER PERCUSSION This program is designed to teach students the advanced techniques of concert and marching percussion performance. Rehearsals are held one evening per week, January through June, and are open to all students in grades 7-12. Competitive Marching Band students are required to participate.
COLOR GUARD/WINTER GUARD The Color Guard is an auxiliary unit of the Marching Band open to both male and female students. The Color Guard performs precision movements with flags, sabers, and wooden rifles creating a vitally important visual show for the Band’s field and parade competitions. The Color Guard begins training during the summer and performs throughout the fall season. They also perform in several spring parades and rehearse Winter Guard techniques during the winter months. Students who have an interest in music or dance are encouraged to audition. Students who are registered for Band may also audition for Color Guard. Auditions take place during the winter months of the previous year. New students may join at this time.
HIGHSTEPPERS DANCE TEAM The Highsteppers are a competitive dance team competing in dance, kickline, and pom routines as part of the Dance Team Union and Long Island Dance Team Association. The team also performs at home football and basketball games. Auditions for Highsteppers take place in the spring. Members may also participate in the Band’s Color Guard as there are no scheduling conflicts.
TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY This is a service organization. Students must be in grades 10 – 12 and be an outstanding member of a school music ensemble. This includes membership in one of the extra non-credit music groups. Students must participate in the NYSSMA Festival to be eligible for and maintain membership in Tri-M. Students must attend meetings and perform at least ten hours of service to the Music Department each year. Applications are available from the Tri-M advisor.
Course Descriptions Coming Soon!
Music And Performing Arts Videos and Galleries
HHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony 2021
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HHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony 2021
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Music and Performing Arts Galleries and Slideshows
District wide Music and Performing Arts Related Events





Music Department Honors
Information Coming Soon
200+
Challenging Academic Courses
14
Academic Departments
30+
Interscholastic Athletic Teams
90+
Colleges and Universities accepting 2020 HHS Graduates