The Rocky Point School District announced that six students from Rocky Point Middle School and Rocky Point High School participated in the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA) Day of Percussion Festival, held at Sagamore Middle School on Feb. 6. 

The students, members of Mr. Vinny Ragona’s ninth- and 10th-grade high school band and sixth-grade middle school band, as well as Ms. Amy Schecher’s seventh-grade middle school band, included: 

• Isaac Alexander (Grade 9) 
• Seamus Mullahey (Grade 9) 
• Weston Ernst (Grade 7) 
• Henry Fiore (Grade 7) 
• Haylee Stewart (Grade 6) 
• William Fishman (Grade 6) 

This year’s festival featured performances by the SCMEA All-County Percussion Ensembles and the Bridgehampton Marimba Ensemble. The event also included guest artists and clinicians Prana Rising, Benjy Krauss and Greyson Nekrutman. The festival opened with a drum circle and featured masterclasses in marimba and drum set. 

The Rocky Point School Music Department also recognized seventh-grade band student Henry Fiore, who was selected to perform with the 2026 SCMEA All-County Middle School Percussion Ensemble. Fiore was one of only 13 students in Suffolk County selected for the ensemble. 

Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher congratulated the participating students and staff. 

“We are very proud of the students that participated at the SCMEA Day of Percussion Festival,” Knapp and Schecher said. “The SCMEA Day of Percussion hosts some of the world’s finest musicians for an informative evening of workshops and performances. Congratulations to the dedicated students that participated.” 

They also recognized Fiore’s accomplishment. 

“A special acknowledgement to seventh grade band member Henry Fiore for being selected to perform with the SCMEA 2026 All-County Middle School Percussion Ensemble,” they said. “This is a huge honor bestowed upon a very small number of percussionists countywide. We are very proud of Henry for not only his musical skill set and performing ability, but also for the leadership and teamwork that he exhibited with his fellow musicians during the performance.” 

Knapp and Schecher also thanked Ragona for supporting the students and expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Rocky Point School District administration and Board of Education.