Sewanhaka celebrates annual District Music Festival and Art Exhibit

Orchestra, band and choral students from Sewanhaka Central High School District demonstrated their impeccable musicality at the 54th annual District Music Festival and Art Exhibit held on Feb. 5 at Sewanhaka High School.

The performing ensembles were made up of students from each of the district’s five schools that earned a spot in the festival through a competitive audition held in November. After just four rehearsals, which were held in January under the direction of guest conductors, they performed at the festival concert in front of members of the Board of Education, district officials, building administrators and family members.

First to perform was the festival orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Richard Wright, music department chair at Suffolk Community College. Next was the festival chorus, along with guest conductor Meg Messina, a long-time music educator from Mineola High School. The evening concluded with the festival band led by William Riley, a former director of bands at Lynbrook High School and principal French Horn with the South Shore Symphony at Molloy College.

“This event is a highlight of the students’ musical life in our district,” Festival Chairperson Debra O’Connor said. “It’s an opportunity for the students to showcase their talents with the most talented musicians from each school.”

The festival and exhibit were dedicated to Patricia Rudd, who served for 15 years on the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School Board of Education and five years on the Sewanhaka Central High School Board of Education. Rudd has also been a member of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association for nine years.

In addition to the exceptional music, the artwork of district students was also highlighted as part of an exhibit displayed in the lobby of the school.