Three orchestra students from Rocky Point Middle School and Rocky Point High School were selected to participate in the Long Island String Festival Association Secondary Festival. Rocky Point High School orchestra students Yuuki Donnelly, grade 10, violin, and Sofia Haviland, grade 12, cello, were selected to perform in the festival, held on Jan. 5-7 at Hauppauge High School. Rocky Point Middle School orchestra student Charles Hinst, grade 8, cello, performed in the Long Island String Festival Association’s Intermediate Festival, held on Jan. 19-21 at Commack Middle School.
Yuuki, Sofia and Charles work extremely hard to heighten their musical skills and level of proficiency under the caring guidance of Rocky Point Middle School orchestra director Mrs. Meghan Walter and Rocky Point High School orchestra director Mr. Nicholas Butcher. Acceptance into the LISFA Festival is an exceptional achievement. Students were selected based on a combination of their New York State School Music Association Solo Festival evaluation scores, as the main criterion, coupled with written recommendations from their teachers.
In spring 1956, a profoundly simple idea – a concert filled with the sounds of beautiful string music – sparked the great moments that comprise the rich history of the Long Island String Festival Association. From humble beginnings, just three string orchestras for all Long Island, the organization has continued to grow. By 1963, Nassau and Suffolk each had its own festival. The success of LISFA lies in the strength of the string teachers on Long Island, their talented students, the parents who support their musical development and the quality of the conductors who together celebrate the power of music.
Two of those educators, Rocky Point Orchestra directors Nicholas Butcher and Meghan Walter, are very proud of their students who represented Rocky Point in this year’s LISFA Festival. They are remarkable musicians and dedicated members of the orchestral program in Rocky Point.
A joint congratulatory message from Rocky Point music department chairpersons Amy Schecher and Craig Knapp read, “We are very proud of the students selected to perform at the LISFA Festivals. Their accomplishments are admirable and it is a monumental honor and challenging feat to be selected for a LISFA Festival. We would also like to thank our fabulous and dedicated orchestra directors, Mrs. Walter and Mr. Butcher, for nominating and preparing their students for this distinguished event. We are grateful for their contributions to the Rocky Point music department. We would like to thank the Rocky Point administration and Board of Education for continuing to support these musical endeavors. Thank you to the families of these talented students for all of their support and encouragement. Thank you, Yuuki, Sofia and Charles for representing the Rocky Point music department with musical distinction!”
Date Added: 2/1/2024