Lynbrook students present Cabaret Night

Sydney Lazar brought a touch of opera to Lynbrook High School’s Cabaret Night with a playful performance of “Adele’s Laughing Song” from J. Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus.”

Courtesy Rosemary Leonetti/Syntax

Freshman Jonathan Cuevas sang and played the guitar during “I’ve Got This Friend,” which was a duet with Elaine Chen.

Skyler Kessler/Herald

Ike Polinsky and Zoe and Zach Daniels performed “The Way I Am” at the end of the night.

Skyler Kessler/Herald

The performers of LHS’s 12th annual Cabaret Night posed for a picture prior to the beginning of the show.

Skyler Kessler/Herald

Sarah Gebbia, left, provided a clarinet accompaniment to Chelsea Campanile’s vocal rendition of “Le Festin” at Lynbrook High School’s Cabaret Night.

Courtesy Rosemary Leonetti/Syntax

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On Feb. 1, the Tri-M Music Honor Society created a magical night of musical entertainment at Lynbrook High School’s annual Cabaret Night. Every year for over a decade, Tri-M members have transformed the high school cafeteria into a cozy cabaret to showcase student talent while raising money for charity. The evening has grown over the years from an informal presentation of a few songs to an elaborate production of two acts of singing, dancing and instrumental performances. The event has become one of the hottest tickets in town, selling out nearly as soon as tickets go on sale. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which hit the neighboring East Rockaway School District especially hard, Tri-M members pledged to donate this year’s proceeds, which totaled $1,500, to the East Rockaway High School Music Department to help with their rebuilding efforts.

In the two-hour show, the young performers infused their personal styles into 20 vocal, instrumental and dance performances, featuring guitar, clarinet, keyboard, violin and bass. There was even a ukulele and conga drum thrown into the mix. Their group and solo renditions encompassed popular hits, classical music, show tunes, opera and modern dance interpretations. There were even some original compositions. House band members Zachary Daniels, Sarah Gebbia, Brian Pavone and Isaac Polinsky set the mood for the evening, playing an assortment of instrumental numbers to warm up the crowd.

Auditions for Cabaret Night were open to the entire school. Tri-M officers Sarah Gebbia (president), Zach Daniels and Matt DeMichiel (vice presidents), Sydney Lazar (recording secretary), Emma Harrington (corresponding secretary), Natasha Lubczenko (treasurer) and Isaac Polinsky (historian) judged the entries, assisted by Tri-M adviser Alyssa Panitch.

“Our Tri-M members, especially the board members, worked very hard to make this night a success,” said Ms. Panitch. “Everything from the stage crew to refreshments to ticket sales was arranged and run by the students.”

The Lynbrook Tri-M chapter is a service organization that contributes to the school and surrounding communities through musical performances and student mentoring. Students are carefully selected for this international honor society on the basis of scholarship, character, leadership and service. Throughout the year, Tri-M members usher and assist teachers with stage crew duties at all of the district’s winter and spring concerts. Members also take on other service and performance responsibilities throughout the year. The next Tri-M event will be an induction ceremony for new members on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.