Elwood's Top Student-Musicians Receive Honors

Multiple musicians from Elwood-John H. Glenn High School have recently been selected for county, state, and nationwide honors, setting them apart for having outstanding talent and dedication to the arts.

Elizabeth Choi, a senior violinist, has been selected for one of the NAFME All-National Honors Ensembles. She is one of 30 New-Yorkers nationwide who was accepted into the all-National Honors Orchestra. This orchestra, which comes together to in Orlando, Florida, will be performing together in November.

The district is also pleased to announce that students Makenzy Chaikin, Felipe Gonzalez and Melissa Mandel were selected for the NYSSMA All-State Music Festival Choirs. They will be performing in Rochester at the beginning of December with top vocalists from throughout New York.

In addition, 10 Elwood students were selected for NYSCAME All-County: Abiola Familus, Hannah Kleinman, Eleanor Rees, Meghan Rivardo, Ian Schombs, Terrence Sheldon and the four previously mentioned students.
NYSCAME is extremely selective, only choosing those with the highest NYSSMA scores across Suffolk County from the previous spring. These musicians will take part in three intensive rehearsals that will culminate in a concert on November.

NAfME All-National Honors Ensembles

• Elizabeth Choi - Violin

NYSSMA All-State Music Festival Choirs

• Makenzy Chaikin – Alto
• Felipe Gonzalez – Tenor
• Melissa Mandel - Soprano

NYSCAME /Suffolk All-County Festival Groups

• Elizabeth Choi- Symphony Orchestra, Violin
• Makenzy Chaikin - Mixed Chorus, Alto
• Abiola Familus - Symphony Orchestra, Trumpet
• Felipe Gonzalez – Mixed Chorus, Tenor
• Hannah Kleinman - Symphony Orchestra, Oboe
• Melissa Mandel – Mixed Chorus, Soprano
• Eleanor Rees – Mixed Chorus, Alto
• Meghan Rivardo - Treble Choir, Soprano
• Ian Schombs - Symphonic Band, Trombone
• Terrence Sheldon – Mixed Chorus, Bass

Photo Captions:

1. Multiple musicians from Elwood-John H. Glenn High School have recently been selected for county, state and nationwide honors, setting them apart for having outstanding talent and dedication to the arts.
2. Elwood-John H. Glenn students Makenzy Chaikin, Felipe Gonzalez and Melissa Mandel were selected for the NYSSMA All-State Music Festival Choirs.
3. Elizabeth Choi, a senior violinist, has been selected for one of the NAFME All-National Honors Ensembles.

Photos, Story courtesy of the Elwood Union Free School District