Promising band students from throughout Long Island will showcase their talent at the Atlantic Wind Symphony High School Senior Awards Concert on Sunday, June 7, at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.
With a variety of selections from the toe-tapping American Overture to a compilation of cartoon tunes, the curtain rises 3 p.m. at 71 East Main St. Tickets starting at $21 are available through the theater's box office.
While entertaining for music lovers as it unites emerging talent with the seasoned members of Atlantic Wind Symphony, the experience is also meant to inspire the 22 chosen students from Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Executive Director Diana Cook said these students will play alongside symphony members, replicating an “incredible” opportunity that fortified her own career.
“They get to come to a rehearsal with us, to learn to play the songs and have that experience and learn what it is like to be in a professional band and then they get to play the concert with us,” she said.
Additionally, two award winners will have solo performances: Alex Valder from Bayport-Blue Point High School with Chaminade Concertino on flute and Jackson Seifert from William Floyd High School with Ballade by Eugene Bozza on trombone. Their conductors will be Seifert's father Josh, a Westhampton Beach band teacher; and Bayport-Blue Point band teacher Michael Sarling.
The students will play three numbers: “Stars and Stripes Forever”, “March from 1941” and “Amazing Grace”, a Frank Tichell arrangement “so beautiful it brings people to tears," Cook said.
The Atlantic Wind Ensemble will complete the night with several scores, including the “deep and dark” Pageant By Vincent Persichetti; Gershwin! an audience-driven arrangement by Warren Barker; and Powerhouse, Raymond Scott’s assortment of ‘80s cartoon tunes.
For Long Island’s outstanding student artists, this also will be an opportunity to display their work in conjunction with Suffolk County Art Leaders Association.
For details visit the website.