Rocky Point High School students held their Spring Concert on May 21. Congratulations to Ms. Jessica Spitz and the High School Treble Choir and High School Concert Choir; Mr. Vincent Ragona and the 9th-10th Grade Band; Mr. Nicholas Butcher and the High School Orchestra and High School Chamber Orchestra; Ms. Amy Schecher and the 11th-12th Grade Band. The groups all performed delightful and demanding selections with great artistry and enthusiasm. The concert was exceptionally well-received by the audience.        

The evening began with the 9th and 10th Grade Band featured several soloists during its program, including Jaxon Hoffman (trumpet) and Avery Messana (alto saxophone). The High School Treble Choir, the newest ensemble in the High School, performed a diverse program of music that featured soloists Emma Villafane-Kaplan, Savannah Bullock, Marisa Hansen, Cayden Harz and Natalie Savoia. Adding to this performance were special appearances by student musicians Yuuki Donnelly (violin) and percussionists Austin Tappin and Kevin Wallach. The High School Orchestra then performed a challenging program followed by a finale for the first half of the concert by the Symphony Orchestra, featuring members of the High School Orchestra and 9th and 10th Grade Band. The High School Symphony Orchestra then performed a program of classical music and movie score repertoire. The High School Concert Choir performed a program of music that featured soloists Andrea Vergara, Samantha Normandin, Katie Romano and Maya Alexander. Adding to this performance were special appearances by student musicians Yuuki Donnelly (violin) and percussionists Matteo Gravinese and Andrew Renta. The evening concluded with a stellar performance by the 11th and 12th Grade Band. Their opening piece, “And In The End It Was Earth,” featured solos by Ava Jimenez (oboe) and Micah Santiago (flute). Other soloists through the band’s program included Allyson Opitz (alto saxophone), Justin Moriarty (euphonium) and Dave Alexander (trumpet).       

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Schecher read: “The steady advancement of our student musicians since their concerts in December is noteworthy. It was a joyful night of high-quality music making. We are very pleased with the achievement and talent displayed by these terrific student musicians. We are very lucky to have such a remarkably hard working and dedicated music faculty at the Rocky Point High School. Thank you to the families of these amazing students for all their encouragement. Thank you to all the administrators and Board of Education members in Rocky Point for their continued support of our music programs.” Ms. Schecher added, “It was bittersweet for us to direct our R seniors for the final time. Mr. Butcher, Ms. Spitz and I were so fortunate to work with these talented members of our ensembles.  We wish them all the luck and hope they experience the highest level of success and happiness in all their future endeavors.”