"AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE"
Welcome back to a winter and spring season filled with art, music, and theater which should brighten our hearts and ennoble our spirits. In the midst of my sixth year in Rockville Centre, I am filled with gratitude - gratitude for the gift of working with students, teachers, parents, staff, and administrators who value the arts and are aware that arts bring out the best in our children. Below are some examples:
THE FINE TUNING PROJECT
The Fine Tuning Project is a charitable foundation that is in the process of being established by a community member (Mr. Anthony Roman) to assist the district with its vision to sustain and grow a professional music and performing arts program and facility at South Side HS. Mr. Roman was motivated by gratitude for the excellent arts education his children have received in our school system.
On Saturday, October 17th , The Fine Tuning Project sponsored a "kick-off" performance to introduce itself and raise awareness and support. Music and Theater alumni and faculty who have offered their time and talent to perform on that evening include Broadway actors Max von Essen and Tony Wolf, opera singer, Jennifer Barsamian, and teachers Karen Faust Baer, Doreen Fryling, and Debbie Schall. Mr. Wolf Mr. Von Essen performed some songs from their Broadway repertoire. Mrs. Baer, a renowned concert pianist and Juilliard graduate, accompanied Mrs. Fryling, a professional vocalist, and Mrs. Schall played a duet with her husband, percussionist Gary Schall (both Manhattan School of Music graduates). Mr. Schall plays in the world renowned composer Steve Reich's contemporary music ensemble.
Nationally known comedian, David Attell greeted the audience with a video remote from the set of The Daily Show with Rory Albanese SSHS Alumnus and Jon Stewart's Executive Producer. The video featured surprise cameo appearances by Jon Stewart himself and comedian, John Oliver. More recent alumni who appeared include Gina Baez and Anthony Roman.
NYSSA, All State, NYSSMA, ACDA, All County, LISFA
This past summer, a group of four students were selected to participate in the New York State Summer School of the Arts in Albany. Ryan DeMarco, Eric Carey, DeJuan Bacchas, and Ben Muratore participated in high level music making with some very notable conductors, and brought honor and distinction to Rockville Centre. In December, Crystalyn Winters, Ben Muratore, Margaret Brennan, Pauline Jung, Will Marrin, and Benjamin Kutner represented us at the NYSSMA All State conference in Rochester New York. They performed beautifully with the top high school student musicians in the state.
Speaking of bringing honor and distinction to our school district and community, I must congratulate Mrs. Karen Faust Baer for her work with the All State Mixed Chorus. For the fifteenth consecutive year, she was chosen to work with this group of the finest singers in the state as their accompanist. When I attended the NYSSMA All State Conference in Rochester New York, I proudly observed Mrs. Baer and all our All State students act as ambassadors of Rockville Centre to the community of music educators from all over New York State.
This February, Eric Carey, Christopher DelBello, Lauren Maietti, and Dakota Rizzi will sing in ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) Honors Choirs at their Easter Division Conference in Philadelphia. Congratulations!
All in all, over one hundred young musicians have represented or will represent Rockville Centre in All County ensembles, All State ensembles, LISFA (Long Island Strings Festival Association) ensembles, and ACDA (American Choral Directors) Honors Choirs. Our kids are making music at a high level and sharing that music and their talents and abilities far and wide.
Please see the other links on the Performing Arts web page for All County schedules and NYSSMA Solo Festival information.
Concert Season
If you would like to experience first hand the excitement of live performance, please come to any or all of our school concerts (admission is free). Coming up soon will be the 6th Grade Concert on January 11th , the Jazz Concert on February 10th , and the All District Concerts on March 16th , 18th , and 23rd .
Seeing young people enjoying making music certainly added to a Happy Holiday Season for many in our community, and it will lift your spirits this winter and spring. For information about Rockville Centre's school concerts and shows please check the calendar link in the upper right hand corner of this page.
Changes in the Concert Calendar
On the subject of the concert calendar, there is a change to the calendar that needs to be noted. The Hewitt Spring Concert is scheduled for May 25 th in the auditorium at SSMS. The instrument selection night for rising fourth and fifth graders will be held on June 14 th in the auditorium at SSMS. These revised dates are correct on the Performing Arts Calendar on this web page, but not on the printed calendar that was published in August.
Theater at South Side Middle School and High School
On the weekend of November 6 th our middle school children presented On With The Show, a review of songs and scenes from current Broadway revivals. The performances were memorable and the kids seemed to have a great time. On the 19 th , 20 th and 21st of November our High School Students performed Shakespeare's Twelfth Night , and astounded audiences with their ability to comprehend and communicate Shakespearian English.
Stay tuned for the middle school's production of "Annie" on April 16 and 17, followed by the high school's production of Carousel on the 22 nd , 23 rd , and 24 th of April. They both will be fabulous, I am sure.
All of the above are the reasons for my attitude of gratitude. Happy New Year!
Brian Zuar, Ed.D. - Director of the Arts
January 2010
