Baldwin String Musicians Selected To Island-Wide String Festival

BALDWIN, NY. — Four students from Baldwin Middle School and Baldwin High School were selected to attend the annual Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA) festival, district officials announced Wednesday, giving them the opportunity to rehearse and perform with an ensemble of students from across Long Island and a guest conductor.

Baldwin High senior Brianna Horneck will be joined by eighth grader Caitlin Clay and sixth grader Ethan Biazon to attend the LISFA festival on violin, while sophomore Mia Bryant will play viola. The LISFA festival is a similar set of events to the All-County music festival, with one difference: LISFA is all strings, bringing orchestra students from across Nassau and Suffolk counties into a central orchestra based off recommendations from their music teachers and their scores from New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) examinations. The festival will take place in February.

“This group of talented musicians will represent Baldwin as distinguished string players, excelling on their respective instruments,” district Director of Fine and Performing Arts André Poprilo said. “This achievement speaks to the level of dedication of both our students and our educators, who are committed to advancing our students’ musical skills.”

When they’re not performing in All-Island orchestras, the middle school students practice under the instruction of Noellia Nicotri, while the high schoolers are taught by Stephanie Muir. LISFA also collaborates with the Nassau Music Educators Association, district officials said Wednesday, an association that honored 55 students from Baldwin earlier this year.

As for when and where the festival performances will take place, that information can be found on the LISFA website.