Comprehensive Arts
Long Beach, NY has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education in America for 2012
Bringing Art to Hospitalized Children
Students in the Long Beach High School National Art Honor Society coordinated an art event at the Cohen Children's Medical Center of North Shore-LIJ. The Long Beach students conducted three art workshops for the children at the hospital, teaching them to make collage frames, friendship bracelets and oil pastel flowers. The high schoolers enjoyed interacting with the children as they made beautiful creations together. As an added gift, the Art Honor Society gave the children art supplies to create more projects on their own time and to share with other children who weren't able to attend the workshop.Pictured with some of the artwork they made with the children are: (seated) Jacqueline Zeppa, Lauren LiBrizzi and Katrina Ayala; (standing) Rachel Convertino, Alexa Salazar, Olivia Deschler and Natalia Podboraczynska.
Long Beach School District Named a Best Community for Music Education Second Year in a Row
The Long Beach City School District was one of 166
school districts across the country and 17 on Long Island to be
recognized as a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM
Foundation. On April 17, the NAMM Foundation announced the results of
its 13th annual Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) survey,
which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their
commitment to and support for music education in schools. This is the
second year in a row that the Long Beach City School District has earned
this distinction.
The BCME survey is a nationwide search for communities whose programs
exemplify a strong commitment to music education. Established in 1999,
BCME recognizes and celebrates schools, their administrators, teachers,
board members, parents and students for their support of music education
and their efforts to ensure access to all students as part of the core
curriculum.
Each school receiving the “Best Communities” designation scored in the
80th percentile or higher in the survey’s grading process. Participants
in the survey answered detailed questions about funding, graduation
requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities,
support for the music program, and other relevant factors in their
communities’ music education programs. The responses were verified with
district officials and the data was reviewed by advisory organizations.
The 2011 survey was conducted in collaboration with the Institute for
Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, Kansas, an
affiliate of the University of Kansas.
More than 1,600 students participate in the Long Beach School District’s
36 bands, orchestras and choral ensembles. Students in grades 5-12
participate in All-State, All-County, LISFA and NYSSMA festivals. In
2011-2012, four students earned All-State honors, 54 were named
All-County musicians, and seven were chosen to perform at the Long
Island String Festival. The High School Marching Band participates every
year in the Newsday Marching Band Festival held at Hofstra University.
Long Beach High School is one of only a handful of schools on Long
Island that offers a guitar class as part of its arts curriculum, and
the only guitar program in which students present a multi-act stage show
at the end of the year. School groups also perform at various venues
throughout Long Beach as a service to the community. The high school
gives talented music students the opportunity to join the Tri-M Music
Honor Society. Members tutor younger musicians and perform community
outreach work.
“This two-time honor is a well-deserved recognition for the community,
district leaders, teachers and parents who believe in music education
and are assuring that it is part of a complete education for children in
our schools,” said Dr. Dale Johanson, the District Director of
Comprehensive Arts. “It holds us up as an example of community support
and commitment to music education.”
A copy of the survey can be downloaded for review at
www.nammfoundation.org.
West School Recorder Club Performs at JASA
The West School Recorder Club recently performed for local senior citizens at the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA) in Long Beach. Their song list included a mixture of traditional and popular songs. West School’s four All-County vocalists Shea McMahon, Mya Dean, Brook Newby and Kack Libasci joined the group to perform solos. Students performed under the direction of West School music teacher Vanessa Krywe.
Tri-M Inducts New Members
The Long Beach High School Chapter of the Tri-M
Music Honor Society recently inducted 14 new members in a well-attended
ceremony held at the high school.
“Music brings us all together. It is the world’s universal language,”
said Tri-M faculty advisor Marino Bragino III. The ceremony, conducted
by Long Beach chapter president Annie Winerip, welcomed Rachel Barkan,
Ilana Blumenthal, Christina Chase, Kyle Curley, Victoria Epstein,
Jessica Fernandez, Whitney Flaum, Adam Goldenberg, Halle Henry, Jonathan
Kappel, Taylor Martinelli, Maegan Miciotta, Michaela Rynecki and
Matthew Walsh into the fold of this international honor society which
recognizes students for their academic and musical prowess.
Long Beach High School Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi and chorus teacher
Michael Capobianco were bestowed with Tri-M Honorary Lifetime
Memberships. Former Long Beach student Michael Oquendo, who pursued
music education at SUNY Potsdam, was recognized with an Alumni
Achievement Award. The ceremony also included several musical
performances by Tri-M members.
The main goal of Tri-M is to inspire students to excel at music,
leadership and service. Members act as goodwill ambassadors, performing
at local nursing homes, school events and community functions. They also
assist younger students in preparation for their NYSSMA solo evaluation
performances.
IP Freshman at Home on LBHS Stage
When Christian Musto entered the eighth grade at
Lincoln Orens Middle School in Island Park, he and his fellow
classmates had to start thinking about whether they would like to attend
Long Beach High School or West Hempstead High School the following
year. The Island Park School District does not have a high school, so
after grade eight, students and their families must choose to continue
their education in either Long Beach or West Hempstead School District.
Although the choice may not have been so clear for his fellow
classmates, Christian, who is passionate about acting, knew he wanted to
attend Long Beach High School as soon as he learned that the school
offers a well-rounded acting program, included an elective course called
“Studio in Theater Arts.”
“I’ve been acting since I was eight,” said Christian. “When I landed my first lead role as John in
Peter Pan,
I knew I was hooked. When I get older, I want to be a professional
actor, so it was important to me to be able to develop my acting skills
in high school.”
When Christian came to Long Beach High School as a freshman, he signed
up for “Studio in Theater Arts” as his arts elective. He also tried out
for the high school musical, where he landed a lead role as Hero in
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
“When Christian came to auditions, he brought his resume with him—it
listed dozens of camp productions, middle school theater productions,
and his work with the Island Park Theater Guild,” recalled theater
teacher and musical director Vanessa Krywe. “He fit the part of young
Hero perfectly, and he also sang the part well. He had a real presence
on the stage.”
“I always try as hard as I can,” said Christian of his audition. “I was still amazed to get the part as a freshman.”
Being in the play not only helped Christian gain more vital theater
experience; it also helped him acclimate to a new school in a new town.
“It was great being in the play and taking acting courses—it’s like
having a bunch of family members away from home. My best friend from
Island Park was also in the play—that made it even more fun for both of
us.”
“I didn’t know anyone when I got here, but from day one I made so many
friends,” said Christian of his first days at Long Beach High School.
As he passes the halfway point in his freshman year, Christian is very
pleased with the choice he has made to come to Long Beach High School.
“The kids are friendly, all my classes are great, and I have a lot of
cool teachers.”
Friends of the Arts Committee
A "Friends of the Arts" committee has been
formed to promote the advancement of the arts in Long Beach Public
Schools and the surrounding community. The goals of the organization are
to further enhance and enrich the cultural life of students by
promoting student arts and cultural events, recognizing student
achievements and providing better communication between the district and
the community at large. The organization hopes to create new ways to
recognize, appreciate and support students’ practice and enjoyment of
the arts through special events and fundraising activities.
The committee recently held an organizational meeting to elect officers.
Superintendent of Schools David Weiss was the guest speaker. “I
appreciate everyone’s support of our students,” he told the group. “You
will play an important role in celebrating the successes of our students
and solidifying community support for the arts.”
The committee has already been active selling T-shirts and refreshments
at the recent high school musical production. Other fundraisers are
planned for the spring concert season. The goal of this year’s
fundraisers will be to raise money for scholarships and awards to be
presented at the high school Senior Award Night.
“We believe that all children possess talents and gifts that if left
untapped will create a void in our society,” said Friends of the Arts
Administrative Liaison Dr. Dale Johanson. “It is our hope that the world
will become a better place through the cultural enrichment of our
children who will someday give their talents to the world.”
The committee welcomes parents, community members, musicians and
concerned citizens to join them in this worthy cause. For more
information, contact President Bari Klirsfeld at 516- 815-7178 or
baripres@aol.com.
Jazz Night is May 1 at 7:30 PM in the High School auditorium.
The musical talents of the Middle School Jazz Band, the High School Lab Jazz Band, the High School Jazz Ensemble, the High School Select Choir, and the West Elementary School Recorder Club will be highlighted in this upcoming concert. Also featured will be the Divas Jazz Band, an all female professional jazz band who will hold workshops with the students and will perform on the high school stage.
Please join us in celebrating jazz music at Long Beach High School.
Art Supervisors Association
8th Annual Nassau All-County Art Exhibition
Sunday, March 18, 2012
12:00 – 4:00PM at Adelphi University
Applications for the NYSSMA Solo & Small Ensemble, All State and All State Jazz Festivals are available from your child's music teacher.
* NYSSMA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival AND
All State Non-Jazz Festival - May 18-19 at Lawrence HS.
Deadline for applications is March 9
Artwork Published in Calendar
Eleven Long Beach High School art
students entered their original photography in the Nassau County Bridge
Authority’s 2012 Pass Card Contest. The judges were so impressed with
the quality of the students’ work that they selected a total of twelve
pieces for inclusion in the organization’s 2012 calendar. Christina
Carvalho, Emily Cerda, Giovanna Deloca, Justine Smith, Kim Trabulsi,
Lauren LiBrizzi, Mark DeGuzman (two pieces), Paola Servellon, Perri
Steiner, Shauna Spruiell and Stephanie Lerner were honored at a
breakfast at the authority’s board meeting on Dec. 20. Each student
received a copy of the calendar as a keepsake. Students created the
photos in teacher Sue Solomonic’s Studio in Photography class.
LBHS Musical Production:
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
Link To
The NYSSMA Festival Dates and Application Deadlines.
The
All-State Music Festival was held in Rochester, NY, Dec. 1-4, 2011.
Two Long Beach students were chosen to represent Long Beach High School: Russell Goetz, Vocal Jazz and Joseph Keiserman, Symphony Orchestra.
Two students were also chosen as All State alternates:
Grace Smith, Flute and Annie Winerip, Jazz Trumpet.
We congratulate these students on their wonderful accomplishments.
See This Years All-County
Participants Page
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Link To
Mr. Bragino’s HS Band Page |
Mr. West's HS Music site