Northport Musicians Earn All-County, All-State Recogition

Northport High School recently announced that 22 students have been selected for the 2018 NYSCAME All-County music festival. Out of those students, 10 have also been selected for the NYSSMA All-State festival — eight of them performers, two of them featured composers.

To be selected for NYSCAME All-County, 11th and 12th-grade students must score among the top NYSSMA musicians across Suffolk County. Once selected, students then participate in three intensive rehearsal sessions, culminating with a concert in November.

Students selected for NYSSMA All-State continue on to compete on a statewide level. Those selected scored among the top musicians in New York State. The eight selected NHS All-State performing students will be traveling to Rochester from Nov. 29–Dec. 2. Along with participating in intensive rehearsals, selected students from across the state will be performing weekend concerts in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

Composing senior Emma Bockrath’s electronic music piece, “I Have Never Seen It” has been chosen to be performed at the Rochester conference, marking her second year of selection. Additionally, senior Peter Mainetti was selected and will be recognized for his sixth consecutive year at the All-State level for his string quartet, “Nightmare on 26 Fenway.”

“The dedication our students show to the arts is astounding,” said Dr. Izzet Mergen, director of fine and performing arts, “and we are so proud of their hard work and success.”

All-County Performers

• Katie Sierra - Orchestra, Harp
• Theo Amendola - Orchestra, Trumpet/Cornet
• Natalie Thieke - Band, Flute
• Pegeen Friese - Band, French Horn
• Sophia Olivieri - Band, Trombone
• Marcos Guerrero - Band, Tuba/Sousaphone
• Benjamin Strait - Orchestra, Violin
• Anna Denfeld - Orchestra, Viola
• Jennifer Halpurn - Orchestra, Viola
• Isabella Donneruno - Chorus, Soprano I
• Taryn Feuer - Chorus, Soprano I
• Zoe Warren - Chorus, Soprano I
• Emily Ackerman - Chorus, Soprano II
• Jenna Goz - Chorus, Soprano II
• Julia Hahn - Chorus, Soprano II
• Meaghan Maher - Chorus, Soprano II
• Ashleigh Basel - Chorus, Alto I
• Elizabeth Russell - Chorus. Alto I
• Shannon Wines - Chorus, Alto I
• Rachel Zulawski - Chorus, Alto I
• David Goz - Chorus, Bass I
• John Labua - Chorus, Bass I

All-State Performers:

• David Goz - Mixed Chorus
• Meaghan Maher - Mixed Chorus
• Isabella Donneruno - Mixed Chorus
• Katie Sierra - String Orchestra
• Benjamin Strait - String Orchestra
• Pegeen Friese - Symphony Orchestra
• Ashleigh Basel - Treble Chorus
• Taryn Feuer – Women’s Chorus

All-State Composers:

• Peter Mainetti
• Emma Bockrath

Story, Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District:

1. 22 NHS students have been selected for the 2018 NYSCAME All-County music festival.
2. Eight NHS preforming musicians have been selected for the NYSSMA All-State festival in Rochester
3. Two NHS composing musicians, Peter Mainetti and Emma Bockrath, have been selected to have their compositions performed at the NYSSMA All-State festival in Rochester