The fall season has been a thriving success thus far for the district’s Media, Visual and Performing Arts Department. Several new achievements and initiatives were recently announced in addition to those already highlighted over the past two months.

Long Beach High School is one of only 15 schools on Long Island and 119 in the entire nation to earn distinction as a GRAMMY Signature School semifinalist. This program, established by the GRAMMY Foundation, recognizes top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year. Semifinalists have the possibility of being named finalists in March, which brings the prospect of monetary grants for their music programs. 

Eight students ranging from elementary through high school grades were selected to perform in the Long Island String Festival Association concerts based on the outstanding results they achieved at the New York State School Music Association festivals. They represent the most skilled and talented string musicians in their respective age groups.

Eighth-graders Sophia Elenson and Meilin Garfinkle represented Long Beach Middle School on the double bass and violin, respectively. High school freshman Leah Cohen and senior Jonathan Kapilian were chosen as cellists. The four musicians performed at the LISFA Nassau Secondary Festival during the weekend of Nov. 13.

The LISFA Nassau Elementary Festival will be held in late February. Jordan Collinson and Logan Monti of Lido, Olivia Kreutzberg of Lindell and Camille Katzen of West were accepted to showcase their talents at this event.

The district has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education for the past five years, with more than 1,600 students participating in 36 bands, orchestras and choral ensembles. The high school offers a number of opportunities such as the guitar and IB Music courses, along with the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Students perform annually at events such as the Newsday Marching Band Festival and Columbus Day Parade, have taken the stages of Carnegie Hall and the NYCB Theatre, and bring their talents into the local community.