Rocky Point students join county percussion festival; one earns all-county ensemble spot


Craig Knapp chairperson of the Rocky Point Music Department | Facebook

Six students from Rocky Point Middle School and Rocky Point High School took part in the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA) Day of Percussion Festival at Sagamore Middle School on February 6, according to the Rocky Point School District.

The participants were Isaac Alexander and Seamus Mullahey, both ninth graders; Weston Ernst and Henry Fiore, both seventh graders; and Haylee Stewart and William Fishman, both sixth graders. These students are members of bands directed by Mr. Vinny Ragona at the high school and middle school levels, as well as Ms. Amy Schecher’s seventh-grade middle school band.

This year’s festival included performances by the SCMEA All-County Percussion Ensembles and the Bridgehampton Marimba Ensemble. Guest artists and clinicians such as Prana Rising, Benjy Krauss, and Greyson Nekrutman led masterclasses in marimba and drum set. The event opened with a drum circle.

Seventh-grade student Henry Fiore was recognized for being selected to perform with the 2026 SCMEA All-County Middle School Percussion Ensemble. Only 13 students in Suffolk County received this honor.

Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher, chairpersons of the Rocky Point Music Department, offered congratulations to those involved: “We are very proud of the students that participated at the SCMEA Day of Percussion Festival,” Knapp and Schecher said. “The SCMEA Day of Percussion hosts some of the world’s finest musicians for an informative evening of workshops and performances. Congratulations to the dedicated students that participated.”

They also commented on Fiore’s achievement: “A special acknowledgement to seventh grade band member Henry Fiore for being selected to perform with the SCMEA 2026 All-County Middle School Percussion Ensemble,” they said. “This is a huge honor bestowed upon a very small number of percussionists countywide. We are very proud of Henry for not only his musical skill set and performing ability, but also for the leadership and teamwork that he exhibited with his fellow musicians during the performance.”

Knapp and Schecher thanked Mr. Ragona for supporting student musicians and expressed appreciation for ongoing support from district administration and the Board of Education.

Organizations Included in this History


Daily Feed

State

DeStefano Earns Nod for Fifth Assembly Term

Suffolk County Republicans have once again nominated State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano to run for reelection, backing the Medford Republican for a fifth term representing the 3rd Assembly District.