The sweet sounds of violins, violas and cellos filled Uniondale High School auditorium as three schools came together for the first ever Tri-District String Festival. Among the schools districts participating in the concert were Freeport, Uniondale and Baldwin.
Over 130 honors string students took to the stage to perform 9 pieces, conducted by their orchestra teachers, Jill Boardman of Freeport; Stephanie Muir of Baldwin; and Beatrice Flipse, of Uniondale. Reynard Burns, who is the director of the Dowling College Orchestra, served as a special guest conductor. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham was more than impressed by the joint concert. "This was an incredible collaboration and the performance was outstanding," stated Dr. Kuncham.
These talented student-musicians dedicated much of the winter preparing for the concert within their own schools. Despite their practice time being cut due to weather cancellations, the students rose to the challenge performing Andate Festivo by Jean Sibelius; Lincoln at Gettsyburg by Andrew H. Dabczynski; Tango Noir by guest conductor Burns; Fantasy on Amazing Grace by Robert Kerr; Sinfonia III by Felix Mendelssohn; Deep River by Carrie Lane Gruselle; Highlights from the 1812 Overture by Bob Cerulli; and for the finale, Ride that Chariot, also by guest conductor Burns.
Freeport Director Jill Boardman said she was more than thrilled to work with the orchestra directors of Uniondale and Baldwin, who were actually her former students, to bring the concert to fruition. "We made this our own and we hope that these outstanding students enjoyed the experience of performing together," said Boardman.