- Oyster Bay-East Norwich Schools
- 12-20-19 Observer
- Winter Concerts
The Observer District Newsletter (2019-20 Archived Editions
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Winter Concerts Showcase Student Talent
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Continued from cover
The Vernon School’s Intermediate Band, under the baton of Mr. Joe Devassy, opened the concert series at Oyster Bay High School, Dec. 4, with festive holiday pieces, including one composed by Mr. Devassy himself, titled Holiday Jambalaya. The evening also featured the 5th and 6th Grade Chorus singing Moonlight Sleigh Ride and This is My Wish, under the direction of Mr. Louis Costidis and accompanied by Mrs. Elinor Zayas. The Advanced Band, conducted by Ms. Lauren Macy ended the concert with an old favorite, Frosty the Snowman.
Taking the stage next was the Middle Level Jazz Band and then the Middle Level Band, both under the baton of Mr. Michael Giannetta. They presented arrangements such as Sway and At Water’s Edge, respectively. Selections from the Symphonic Band, conducted by Mr. Matthew Sisia, included Overture of the Winds and Gotta Make Noise.
Vernon’s 3rd and 4th graders lit up the stage—literally. Amid darkness, each 4th grader held a single battery powered candle as they sang, Light the Candles All Around the World. Both 3rd and 4th grade performances were showered in “snow” as students threw paper confetti into the air to highlight numbers such as Take a Winter Walk With Me and Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.
Next were performances by the Middle Level Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Melissa Kozee and the 9th-12th Grade Concert Choir, led by Dr. Meagan Dissinger and both accompanied by Mrs. Zayas on piano. The former dazzled the audience with Sparklejollytwindklejingley, from the Broadway Musical, Elf and a Hebrew folk song, Hashivenu, while the latter performed five selections, one in Spanish and Hebrew, and ending with a boisterous Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
At Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School youngsters delighted audiences as the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade classes, under the direction of Ms. Brenda Murphy, sang a selection of holiday favorites, such as Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Oh Hanukkah and Bring on the Snow. Each 2nd grade class performed with percussion instruments, showcasing what they learned through the Orff method, an approach that teaches music through a combination of singing, dancing, acting and the use of percussion instruments, such as xylophones, maracas, tambourines and bells. All the 2nd grade classes sang together for the finale.
The series ended with the Oyster Bay High School Wind Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Mathew Sisia, which featured two commissioned pieces by Oyster Bay High School. The first was titled I Know Moonrise and the second was Second Suite in F. The Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. Meagan Dissinger and accompanied by Ms. Rebekah Efthimiou on harp, presented A Ceremony of Carols. The Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Matthew Sisia, closed the evening on an inspirational note with Stand by Me.
During the evening, the raffle winner for a fundraiser to support the 8th and 10th grade college trips was drawn. The grand prize was a "New York City Extravaganza," which included two tickets to the Broadway show Beatlejuice as well as a Marriot gift card and a Visa gift card. Thanks to the support of the community, 750 tickets were sold and $7,500 was raised. The funds will help offset costs for a four-day trip to various colleges as far as North Carolina for 10th graders in January and an overnight trip to colleges in New Jersey and Philadelphia for 8th graders in April.
Throughout the concert series, music teachers also took the time to recognize their students who were selected to perform in the Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Music Festival at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale, Jan. 11 and Jan. 17-19. Nearly 30 students in grades 5-12 were chosen for this special honor. Newly inducted members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society were also recognized.
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Vernon Concerts
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Oyster Bay High School Concerts
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Oyster Bay High School Concerts Part II
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TR Showcase