Huntington Seniors Presented with Music Awards

University of Delaware-bound Michaela Dopico is this year’s recipient of the Linda Shoemaker Blue Devil Band Scholarship as the senior “who best exemplifies the benefits of membership in the band on her personal growth during high school.”

Seniors walked away with more than 20 different music medals, certificates, plaques, pins and financial scholarships after distinguishing themselves over the past four years.

DeAndre Simmons (Ithaca College) is the recipient of the Huntington High School Award for Overall Contributions to Music. Liva Camarata (University of Hartford) was given the National Choral Award.

Natalie Parrott (New York University) took home the John Philip Sousa Award, which was created in 1955 and honors the top student in the high school band. The award has become the pinnacle of achievement for band students. It was developed with the cooperation of Helen Sousa Albert and Priscilla Sousa, daughters of the famous composer and bandmaster.

Ms. Parrott was also presented with the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for being an outstanding instrumentalist as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character and individual creativity.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute bound Charles Michaelian is the recipient of the National School Marching Band Award. Benjamin Soric, who will attend Hofstra University in the fall, captured the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award in recognition of being an exceptional band student and musician. Mr. Gilmore was a Civil War era bandleader and leading figure in 19th century American music, performing at high profile events such as presidential inaugurations, the U.S. centennial celebration, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty and many others.

DeAndre Simmons (Ithaca College) received the Tri-M Music Leadership Award. The Suffolk County Music Educators Association presented Samuel Soric (Boston University) with a scholarship after he was selected as an “outstanding senior” by music department members.

Ella Ackerman (University of Richmond) and Angelina Marcelino-LaQua (New York Institute of Technology) both garnered Blue Devil Band Service Awards. Benjamin Soric (Hofstra) and Samuel Soric (Boston University) were each presented with the New York State Field Band Conference Award.

The Director’s Award for Chorus went to New York University bound Josephine Sullivan. The Blue Devil Orchestra Service Award was presented to Liva Camarata (University of Hartford). The Blue Devil Chorus Service Award was captured by Alexa Schirripa (University of Massachusetts-Amherst).

Caitlin Maher Dubnau, who is headed to Bard College, earned the Evelyn Daniels Memorial Scholarship, which is presented to an outstanding member of the orchestra who has excelled as a performer and exhibited dedicated service to the orchestra..

Angie Uceda-Enamorado (SUNY Polytechnic Institute) won the Frank Lizzo Percussion Scholarship. The Huntington Community Band Distinguished Musician Award was presented to NYU Bound Natalie Parrott.

DeAndre Simmons (Ithaca College) earned the National School Orchestra Award. Kai Rotunno (Binghamton University) captured the Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence, which recognizes an exemplary young citizen who is a role model for others and who displays great determination. It is sponsored by the US Marine Corps.

The Suffolk County Music Educators Association presented Samuel Soric (Boston University) with after he was selected as an “outstanding senior” by music department members.

The New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education Suffolk Chapter presented a scholarship to Liva Camarata (University of Hartford). DeAndre Simmons (Ithaca College) won the Woody Herman Jazz. Caitlin Maher Dubnau (Bard College) garnered the Tom Karolyi Memorial Scholarship, which is presented in honor of a former district orchestra teacher whose life story is exceptionally compelling.