Wantagh High School, Middle School Musicians Team Up In Clinic.

WANTAGH, NY. — Wantagh seventh graders got the chance to play alongside their high school wind ensemble counterparts in a 117-person ensemble on Dec. 3, as the school held its annual band clinic in the high school auditorium.

The 87 middle school band members traveled from the middle school to perform “Flash!” and “Gentle Winds,” both arrangements from their upcoming winter concert, while high school Wind Ensemble members sat next to them and played along. During the clinic, district officials said the high schoolers offered guidance and support to the younger musicians to help them grow.

“The band clinic encourages them to move further in music and show them what
their future can be in the band,” senior and band co-president Olivia Scherer said. “They look up to us as role models.”

After performing alongside them, the seventh graders got to hear the wind ensemble members play a piece from their own winter concert, “Carol Of The Bells.” District officials said the goal of that exercise was to let middle school students hear what they could sound like if they keep practicing and studying.

“They get to hear the highest level of music that Wantagh students are producing,” Special ensembles band director Dan Aviles said. “So it sets a goal for them.”

Sixth and seventh grade band teacher Susan Babcock, eighth grade and high school band director Chris Cockren and Aviles led the respective bands, while the Wantagh Performing Arts Booster Club provided a pizza lunch and snacks for students.