Huntington’s All-County Musicians Perform
To celebrate Music in our Schools Month, more than 2,500 students spread across grades 5-10 participated in All-County bands, orchestras and choruses throughout Suffolk. The Huntington School District was well represented in this group as more than four dozen talented musicians performed.
Huntington High School hosted three Western Suffolk concerts as part of the festivities. “Families of participants from all over Long Island always enjoy our beautiful auditorium, one of only four large concert halls in Suffolk,” said Joan R. Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts.
The Suffolk County Music Educators Association organizes the festivals in three locations. “They are always very complimentary of the job that our music faculty and stage crew under the direction of Ken Gilbert does to create a professional concert hall atmosphere for these talented and large groups,” Ms. Fretz said.
This year, Huntington High School orchestra director Lisa Leonardi was given a special honor, conducting the Division II (grades 7-8) orchestra at the Eastern Suffolk festival. She is the new president of the New York State American String Teachers Association and has served as the New York All-State Orchestra chairperson, the string editor for the state NYSSMA journal and in many roles in the Long Island String Festival Association.
“Ms. Leonardi enjoyed the opportunity to select the concert program and rehearse with the festival students for three rehearsals before performing a very successful concert,” Ms. Fretz said.
All-County activities also include an annual fall high school festival for juniors and seniors. This year, Huntington was represented by 12 students at this prestigious event, including six teenagers who were also selected for All-State festival groups.
Huntington’s All-County performers included:
Huntington High School: Matt Angeliadis (Bb clarinet), Colin Kirkpatrick (oboe), Justin Loscalzo (trumpet/cornet), Taylor Palmer (Bb clarinet), Jesse Reigot (French horn), Aaron Zimmerman (tenor sax), Brianne Bennett (soprano), Andrea Cerini (viola), Francesca Gray (Bb clarinet), Andrew Ku (cello), Oliver Lockwood (cello), Michael Marchetta (double bass), Brittany Oliva (viola) and Jennifer Polster (violin).
J. Taylor Finley Middle School: Jonathan Engle (trumpet/cornet), Brianna Kirkland (French horn), Justin Loturco (Bb clarinet), Brian McConnell (tuba/Sousaphone), Olivia Palmer (piccolo), Kimberly Smith (Bb clarinet), Nick Arleo (baritone), Kristin Berner (soprano), Alexa Gorczycki (alto), Chelsea Holmes (soprano), Haylee Karpman (alto), Monica Owen (soprano/violin), Jesse Feldman-Stein (viola), Katherine Gerdes (cello), Hailey Giordano (violin), Christian Jamison (violin), Ashley Melgar (violin) and Ben Nikodem (double bass).
Jack Abrams Intermediate School: Dylan Delguidice (alto sax), Julia Engle (oboe), Olivia Stamatatos (flute), Page Monteclavo (alto), Annalise Mozer (soprano), Kayla Ryan (soprano), Samuel Weitzner (alto), Holly Grabowski (viola) and Zechariah Perea (violin).
Woodhull Intermediate School: Jeannie Kopstein (Bb clarinet), Hanae Wada (Bb clarinet), Allyson Arleo (soprano), Elizabeth Berejka (soprano), Bailly Riordan (soprano), Justin Waite (alto), Samantha Conte (double bass), Elisa Medina Jaudes (cello), Patrick Kennedy (double bass) and Max Andrew Polster (cello).
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