To view the comprehensive history of the Great Neck High School Music Program since 1928, including MANY videos from Winter Concerts, Artfests, Carnegie Hall and guest conductors since 1991, look to the menus on the left side.

Contact Joseph Rutkowski at

jrutkowski@greatneck.k12.ny.us

Congratulations to the 

2021 NH Musicians of 

Room 218

Dear Friends

This was, by no stretch of anyone’s imagination, an incredibly unusual year.

If you wish to see the performances of the past year, check them out below…

41 LIVE Shows streamed on Zoom from room 218 during the 2020/2021 Season

https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/15044

Winter Concert

 North High Virtual Winter Concert 12/17/20

The 92^nd Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School was released as a Virtual Winter Concert Thursday, December 17^th 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vckY4ZD4_3I

Young Peoples’ Concert #30

Thanks to Maya Lerner, Justin Lander, Mike Meehan and seniors Arabella Notar-Francesco, Katherine Smolens, on June 2, we presented our Young People's Concert #30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLSHHybN2e0 

Artfest 2021

https://youtu.be/_FjBOlwmRpQ

Graduation NHS ceremony released on Thursday, at 2:00 P.M.

https://youtu.be/vVzW0Bi5t60

It begins with the Lobby Music Ensemble playing Let it Be from earlier this season.

And continues with

LIVE from Room 218 JAZZ Falling in Love

LIVE from Room 218 Afghan Dance Watan Lan

LIVE from Room 218 JAZZ I Love Paris in the Springtime

Grad Orch 2017 Jupiter and Carmen

Grad Orch 2016 Romeo and Juliet

Carnegie Hall 2016 Shostakovich 5

CM Recital Scott Joplin

Artfest 2021 Hovhaness Fugue for Strings

Artfest 2022 Duke Ellington It Don’t Mean A Thing

And then our June 10^th recording in the Commons of Pomp and Circumstance.

Our Lincoln Center 15-minute movie created by Nina Phillips with the screenplay by Stephany Barbu and Scott Levy for the students at NM and JFK as part of our Lincoln Center project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvjy0WeHXs8

Chamber Music Recital presented on Wednesday, April 28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsT03bcxhw

Pirates of Penzance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Ge_5H7dnynw

Social Justice Week in Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzjrI98ChFk

Music Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcGaab_1GY

Valentine Soirée

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CV7GVqag2k

International Night

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jMBmXO5D1uhBKLw5sxlTyY4RmzyjL71P/view

NAfME blog What Music Has Meant to My Students 12/22/20

https://nafme.org/what-music-has-meant-to-my-students/

Noa playing "She talks to angels" in Genelle's Gazebo copy

https://youtu.be/7QrTaE9Dtp8 

On Thursday, Oct 22, I took the ninth grade band outside to play because wind players are not allowed to play inside...

One of the ninth graders in the class is a guitarist name Noa.  I know that she plays rock concerts, so I asked her if she wanted to play something for us while we were all around Genelle’s gazebo.

Genelle Taney was our principal violist when she graduated in 2003. When she was a junior, she developed a rare form of cancer that kept her at home during most of her senior year. Genelle was such incredibly giving person that she asked me if there was anything she could do for the music dept while she was at home being treated for cancer. I told her that I always wanted to scan the music photographs from the 80 years of yearbooks to put on our web site. She said that she would love to do that. It gave me an excuse to visit her every week, bringing over a few yearbooks for her to scan. Today her work is on our web site and you can see the music students of this dept going back to 1928. Thanks to Genelle.

https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/11363

Genelle Taney is the only student I ever had (or will ever have) that was with me for 8 years. She was in the last 6th grade class I taught at North Middle and because of her illness during the year after her graduation, she came to play in our orchestra at school during the orchestra class. Genelle was too ill to attend either of the colleges, which selected her: Harvard and Amherst. She performed with her sisters and her fellow violists at Carnegie Hall that year in April, 2004. Although her doctor advised her to have chemotherapy right before that concert, Genelle decided to delay the treatment until after the concert so that she would not let down her fellow musicians.

Genelle passed away in December of 2004, leaving behind memories of an incredible student who excelled in her academics, her music and her sports. She was a star in all three areas. But more than her talent and hard work, Genelle was the nicest and most kind young person that I ever met. The day before she passed away, her dad asked her if she was afraid. Genelle said, "I am not afraid. I am just worried about my sisters."

Noa picked the song played by the Black Crowes called “She talks to Angels”

I asked her if I could send this video to you because she remembered my “Genelle story” and she was touched and said yes!

How fitting this was in Genelle’s Gazebo to watch my “hybrid A” ninth grade band students with the rest of the students on zoom watching on zoom this girl play such a beautiful song outside...

I sent the this story and the video to Genelle’s mother who wrote back:

“How amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. And a huge thank you to Noa for making our day. So beautiful!! Please extend our gratitude to Noa.”

=

PS….

For the 107 students who played at Carnegie Hall on March 1, 2020…..you should know that there still has not been a concert performed there since March 12, 2020.

Carnegie Hall officially cancelled all performances beginning on March 13, 2020. The American Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to perform on March 12, but they cancelled. The last performances in the building took place that day (3/12) in Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall. The last performance in Isaac Stern Auditorium took place on March 10, the evening performance of the New York Wind Band Festival.

See the link for Carnegie Hall archives of past concerts

https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS 

and notice that our March 1, 2020 was still one of the very last concerts there as of now (June 30, 2021)

https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS_Newest_First&page=3 

https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS_Newest_First&page=3&event=64272

               
Joseph Rutkowski
Instrumental Music Director,  John L. Miller - Great Neck North High School
Administrative Teacher-MUSIC, John L. Miller - Great Neck North High School
Tri-M Chapter 2605 Advisor
35 Polo Road
Great Neck, NY 11023
(516) 441-4751
JRutkowski@greatneck.k12.ny.us
Alternate email: josephrrutkowski@gmail.com

Check our web site:
https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/13704

WQXR Classical Hero of May 2018  https://www.wqxr.org/story/classical-music-hero-joseph-rutkowski/
LI Music Hall of Fame Educator of Note 2015 https://www.limusichalloffame.org/educator-of-note/joseph-rutkowski/

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE UPDATED

IN MID-AUGUST....

Welcome Back to a new Season of Concerts, Events and Activities of the Tri-M Chapter 2605 (John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School)

The 2020/2021 Concert Season at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School.

We are about to begin a school year, a concert season that has never been imagined before.

But……

We miss Dr. Janine Robinson, Neil Saggerson, Bernie Kaplan, Roger Ames, Denise Eisner, Amy Kempton, Karen Lee, Mrs. Hugo, Ms Babkes, Dr. Krauz and all the legends and even the maggots of room 218!

I must also say that it remains with great sadness that we begin another school year without our beloved Dan Tomaselli. His loss in 2011 has had such an impact on our student body, alumni and community.  Mr. “T” never hesitated to state his opinion on any issue, but he was always serving the best interest of our students. Mr. Tomaselli was really my big brother. I consulted his wisdom nearly every day for the 20 years I knew him. I miss him terribly. Let us, once again, let’s remember that seat in the back of the NH auditorium where Mr. T sat for our performances and keep in memory of his high standards and incredible understanding of his fellow human beings.

This is how I remember Dan Tomaselli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je8AQ5KPg_0&sns=em

The current performing groups at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School music program have been featured in concert at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall over a dozen times in the past twenty-four years.  These groups regularly appear on Channel 75 and Channel 20 on Long Island's North Shore.  The Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra have also played under the batons of Joseph Turrin, JoAnn Falletta, John-Szicheng Lau, the late Jens Nygard, Patricia Spencer , Michael Flamhaft, Michael Lipsey,  David Jolly, Michael Tong, Olivier Fluchaire, David Winkler, Prof. Sean Reed, Prof. Christopher Tibaldi, David Stewart Wiley, Brian Worsdale, David Bernard,  Frank Rugers, Susan Deaver and violinist/conductor Michael Gilbert.  

Great Neck is a suburb of New York City, located on the North Shore of Long Island just east of the Queens border.  Once a community that was part of Queens, Great Neck joined Nassau County in 1898 when the county was created.  The Great Neck Public School System has possessed a tradition of excellence since its inception in 1814!  There exists a dedicated relationship between the Great Neck community and its school system.   The first graduating class of Great Neck High School was in 1896.  The current high school building, a magnificent structure of style and beauty, has housed its students, faculty, staff AND MUSIC DEPARTMENT since 1928.  It is one of the very few original high school buildings in the nation.  Great Neck High School is now known as the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School, named after the distinguished superintendent from 1943 until 1971. 

A look at the past 2019/2020 SEASON…

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQY-tKpDgMHmG5V7-sfVyzsxiXZFmkHToFvycR9vo5yr_cHOzn5tNh5baRQ7zN3qZsAC-WS6omVFXhJ/p

Anything Goes at GNNHS Nov 2019

Overture
https://youtu.be/ZsIMwtxJDHA

Anything Goes the Song and Dance Number
https://youtu.be/Mt2GeyU2X8Q

Blow Gabriel Blow Sing and Dance Number
https://youtu.be/BhAzfKBW_dM

Heaven Hop Sing and Dance Number
https://youtu.be/O97wWlrOlNA


LIMHoF video of Westbury Concert Nov 17 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9TQ1onpvtY


Link to GNPS/TV Edited Piece on the "Space" Concert
https://vimeo.com/377374037/afc2439545

 

The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 1/4

https://youtu.be/dvVsFiIZZso


The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 2/4
https://youtu.be/9Yt3ZZBBAdE

The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 3/4

https://youtu.be/p_QIe3w1q0E


The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 4/4

https://youtu.be/JdhGsycwaMw


The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS5mVNY2j4jYyo6JjkBdju17TuyqFg-1EBKruOA0utTZDM2umbVsGbuIsicANyzG8ZXcV30_Iv0VJdK/p

In the room…NH Winter Concert 2019
https://youtu.be/PXi5Z4jFTfs

https://youtu.be/FXoRRstW58M

Winter Concert 2019 by Mike Meehan youtube links
The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School on Tuesday, December 17th 2019
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRHC6l-czyWy7y1GAuITzYmH00zlzoVxzEdjsKXXpfaHZLrPXpKJpv0DyUHVudhsCe48ggmx6vNfs89/p


The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Brahms Requiem

https://youtu.be/tY-bBoVnRB8

The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Mahler Symphony No. 2 March

https://youtu.be/HN98i-PSvyw


The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Strauss Blue Danube

https://youtu.be/CWDp-jZUnNM

The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Schubert 8

https://youtu.be/2Nzk-Qw8JAw

The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Beethoven 9
https://youtu.be/4Hm_zplVx9U

Carnegie Hall officially cancelled all performances beginning on March 13, 2020. The American Symphony Orchestra was scheduled to perform on March 12, but they cancelled. The last performances in the building took place that day (3/12) in Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall. The last performance in Isaac Stern Auditorium took place on March 10, the evening performance of the New York Wind Band Festival.

March 1!

https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS_Newest_First&page=3&event=64272

ALL 49,799 performances
https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History/Performance-History-Search?q=&dex=prod_PHS_Newest_First&page=3

Guidepost Article about CH 2020
https://gnnguidepost.org/3735/news/carnegie-hall/

Carnegie Hall PRESENTED BY WORLDSTRIDES
Ensembles from John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Sunday, March 1, 2020 8:30 PM Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2020/03/01/Ensembles-from-John-L-Miller-Great-Neck-North-High-School-Festival-Choir-083

NH Prepares for CH
https://youtu.be/mwi3Pv3bR_s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwi3Pv3bR_s&feature=youtu.be

Carngie Hall March 1, 2020

Carnegie Hall 2020 Great Neck North High Handel VC

https://youtu.be/17407zHy9OM


Carnegie Hall 2020 Great Neck North High Waltz VC

https://youtu.be/j8E-E5gjPOA



Carnegie Hall 2020 Great Neck North High Shos 5 VC

https://youtu.be/5VBVjNpcUVw

Here are the final moments we spent together in the lobby and in room 218……

https://youtu.be/JWfJwtmtEqE

There is NO other high school that has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall THIS many times.....

https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/11362

A VIRTUAL CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL 

by The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School 

Chamber Music Society

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vRTIqjl4qBYtXHSmmRK7NuSLPtXUQjOR-8mv8g26jaY2o18Buw5jur5hPtsXRc3Bk99R560r9R_5n

Our 91st Artfest Concert was scheduled for Thursday, May 21st

But instead, we are presenting 

A Virtual Instrumental Artfest Concert 

which celebrates 

the entire 2019/2020 Great Neck North High Instrumental Music season of musical achievements.

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vRIhtHjQW7yTGIHNRFUs5fW-3gOHOv-6ZiezKQzwJnikeNj3snygRipUrCTRHQzNO2reD29btWmtg

Right up until Thursday March 12th, the 160 students in room 218 were putting the final touches on an instrumental program of Russian Music of the 20th Century.

Indeed, if we were asked to put the performance on the night of Thursday March 12th, I would have been confident that you would all recognize all the pieces we would have played, albeit not as polished as to be expected.

HOWEVER, since Monday, March 16th, all 160 instrumental music students were assigned to practice and drill specific sections of each composition and play through the complete works with the youtubes of recorded performances by the world’s greatest orchestras.

Did they all do that daily assignment?

Many thanks for how the students have been trained by the likes of Matthew Trinkwald, Anthony Virgilio, Jacqui Tomlet, Andrew Denise, Amy Kempton, Annie Fogarty, Dr. Chris Wilson, Juan Garcia, Patrick Kennedy, Denise Eisner, Arielle Murdocco, Janine Robinson, Korey Coppola, Ally Lambraia, Alan Schwartz and Mark Boschen (a few of our most outstanding students migrate from South Middle), Dr. Pamela Levy and Michael Schwartz (who heads the Great Neck Summer Music Program).  These incredible teachers know how to nurture young players of the flute, saxophone, viola, cello, etc. and and infuse the passion of scraping the bows on the strings, blowing the horns, pounding the drums together that make sounds that stir their emotions and intellect. 

JOHN L. MILLER-GREAT NECK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

MUSIC PROGRAM

2020/2021 SEASON

A 2019 Long Island Music Hall of Fame High School of Excellence

https://www.limusichalloffame.org/news/2019-high-school-recognition-program-awards/

A 2018 Long Island Music Hall of Fame High School of Excellence

http://www.limusichalloffame.org/news/long-island-music-hall-of-fame-announces-2018-high-school-recognition-program-winners/

http://www.limusichalloffame.org/hs-recognition-program/ 

Tri-M Chapter of the Year 2017!

https://nafme.org/2016-2017-tri-m-music-honor-society-chapters-year-announced/

A 2016 Long Island Music Hall of Fame High School of Excellence

http://www.limusichalloffame.org/schoolrecognitionprogram/

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1102033636835&ca=9d99da75-8ecb-4fb7-a339-655828d59277

A 2000 GRAMMY Signature School

A 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 GRAMMY Signature School Semi-Finalist

Carnegie Hall Performances: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 Orchestra and 2015 Jazz Choir, 2016

Avery Fisher Hall Performance: 2002

Tri-M Chapter of the Year: 2^nd Runner Up: 2008

Tri-M Chapter of the Year: 1^st Runner Up: 2010

Tri-M Chapter of the Year: 2017

Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society winners: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010

Broadcast on WQXR FM Bob Sherman's Young Artists Showcase on September 17, 2008

Broadcast on WQXR FM Bob Sherman's Young Artists Showcase on July 4, 2012

Disney Magic Music Days National Competition, Select Singers: 1996, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007

Chamber Music in Your High School Workshop-presented by our Tri-M Chapter at the NYSSMA All State Conference in 2004, the MENC Eastern Division Conference in 1999, 2005 and 2007, the NMEA Balanced Mind Conference in 2001, 2003. 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011, NYSCAME Workshop Series in 2007, the TMEA Conference 2013 http://www.tmea.org/assets/pdf/convention/2013/handouts/211206.pdf

NAfME In Service Conference 2015

http://www.nafme.org/wp-content/files/2015/09/Sept-10-Rutkowski-session-overview.pdf

http://www.nafme.org/play-for-your-life-chamber-music-from-mozart-to-led-zeppelin/

The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference 2016

https://www.midwestclinic.org/2016_clinician_Joseph_Rutkowski.html

The 82^nd  NYSSMA Winter Annual Conference – November 30-December 3, 2017 The Legacy of Lawrence P. Sobol, Clarinetist, Educator, Impresario

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRiIoVT0sIBvUHwBd8Dh2-S86sVvuVoxTY-xQzaVs2qOgS79NbINkFeqPRNeY-eTmU_XJvOELZ40OdP/pub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbrEilsg3BM&feature=youtu.be

The 82^nd  NYSSMA Winter Annual Conference – December 7, 2019 at Rochester Convention Center

Play For Your Life Chamber Music Workshop

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTQcbBAGk1TdXVjYOm82QSsDZI_7lr0c4sF7lPiLY1sRQtiJdl8P4tahnp5-kmaEofQUEZIQi15uYLz/pub

WQXR pays tribute to the NYC Marathon Runners by programming all of Beethoven's 9 symphonies beginning at 9:00 am on Sunday, November 3, 2019. Tri-M Chapter 2605 of the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra paid tribute and honor to the NYC Marathon Runners and WQXR by performing the first minute of each of the 9 symphonies on Lobby Music Friday, November 1, 2019. We don’t sound like the Vienna Philharmonic, but they were too busy to do this for us…..
https://youtu.be/K_ZhP4pX754

* Exchange Performance with Fuchun Primary School String Ensemble of Singapore 11/14/08

* Exchange Performance with Jurong Primary School String Ensemble of Singapore 11/18/10

* Exchange Performance with Afula Conservatory of Israel 4/01/11

* Exchange Performance with Afula Conservatory of Israel 3/08/13

* Exchange Performance with Elmhurst College of Elmhurst, ILL 3/30/15

* Exchange Performance with St Laurence College of Australia 4/16/15

*Selection as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education" 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2005.

Selected Students in the 2000, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 NAfME All-National Honors Ensemble

Selected Students All-Star High School Band of Long Island 2011

*Guest conductor appearances at North High include

Maestra JoAnn Falletta

Tara Helen O'Connor

Robert Miller

Maestro John-Szicheng

the late Maestro Jens Nygard

Michael Gilbert

Maestro Alan Schwartz

Dr. James Jordan

Frances Roberts

Joseph Turrin

Patricia Spencer

Maestro Michael Flamhaft

Michael Lipsey and David Jolly

Maestro Michael Tong

Maestro Olivier Fluchaire

Maestro David Winkler

Prof. Sean Reed

Prof. Kae Reed

Prof. Christopher Tibaldi

Maestro Brian Worsdale

Maestro Frank Rugers

Maestra Susan Deaver

Maestro David Bernard

Robert Sherman

Maestro Gal Altervich

Geoffrey Simon

Maestro David Stewart Wiley

Jazz Artist Sam Dillon

Maestro Rueben Blondell

Euphonium Virtuoso Dan Dicker

Maestro Joanne May (Elmhurst College, Chicago)

Maestro Ross Capern (St Laurence College, Australia)

 Dr. Martin Kluger, a vascular biologist with expertise in the field of microvascular endothelial cells as well as a professional percussionist (drummer).

GREAT NECK NORTH HIGH SYMPHONIC BAND

and the

GREAT NECK NORTH HIGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

IN CONCERT

"Nothing less than STUNNING!"  Bob Gluck, TV75, Great Neck Public Schools

"A stunning program and opportunity for young listeners to hear outstanding student performances"  Denise Schueler Eisner

"An AWESOME display!"  Lou Vigliotti, Great Neck North High Computer Dept

"...once again the [Winter] Concert presented exhausts my plaudit vocabulary.  Multiple groups, student involvement on every level, handsome appearance, proper deportment, and above all, wonderful music!"  Maestro Michael Flamhaft, Band of Long Island

     "An unparalleled performance--absolutely breathtaking!" Andy Rutkowski, Alumnus of Smithtown Central High  School Band, 1974 

"Sometimes I wish I could go back to room 218 at Great Neck North High School and play through all of the Beethoven Symphonies! (I hope that is a continued tradition)." David-Aaron Carpenter, Internationally acclaimed Viola Virtuoso, 2006 Naumburg Prizewinner and GNNHS class of 2004.

"I wanted to thank you so much for the opportunity to hear the Great Neck North Symphonic Band and Orchestra. It was an amazing treat. The students were wonderful. I am always so impressed that they volunteer to play at the elementary schools while they are on intersession.  What an amazing opportunity for the fifth graders to see first hand what they can aspire to. "

Judi Bosworth, Nassau County Legislature and Former President of the Board Of Education, Great Neck Public Schools.

“…..what a brilliant performance of the Rhapsody in Blue…a very impressive display of what teenagers can accomplish when their schools are eager to include arts education and have creative artists at the helm…this is a regular high school,  not a conservatory or pre-college division, and so I think the young players’  accomplishments are even more impressive!”

Bob Sherman, esteemed host of WQXR radio's The McGraw-Hill Companies' Young Artists Showcase

“Charles Cadieu (French horn virtuoso of the class or 2000) will be receiving his doctorate in computational neuroscience next month at UC Berkeley.  He is the point man in his group to present their research at conferences.  He always said that performing for an audience on the French horn gave him confidence to do any kind of a presentation.”

Sandy Cadieu, proud mother of Charles and a professional violinist herself!

“I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I was with your students.  I had chills every time I walked passed both the Chamber and Jazz Musicians. They are amazing and please extend my greatest appreciation and gratitude to all of them for making our event even more amazing.”

Diana Guerin ~ Director of Events & Marketing at Community Mainstreaming Associates

On hearing a live recording of the NH Symphonic Band's performance of his Music for Prague, Pulitzer-Prize Winning composer Karel Husa wrote:

“Dear Joseph, This is one of the most enthusiastic playing I have heard - and it is by your students, led by you! The tempi you chose are fast, but everything fits amazingly together, the excitement of the players can be felt, they know their parts and the success of their performance can be felt by he reaction of the audience at the end! You conducted with the exactly right idea, i.e. music has to grow from the beginning to end and never let down and this is how it came across. To all students performers - they all practiced their part - and to you for masterful lead,  MY MOST SINCERE THANKS.  It is a tremendous achievement for young performers! I am deeply grateful, please convey my sincere gratitude !

As ever Yours, Karel

Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 11:42 AM

After listening to the NH Symphony Orchestra’s performance of his Pastorale from that same concert, Dr. Husa later wrote:

“Dear Joseph, I just heard the performance of the PASTORAL by the String Orchestra led by you.  First, I am amazed by the quality of sound and techniques your young performers demonstrated.  As you know I studied violin  (form age of 8 to 14) but I never had such a cultivated sound of strings, or technique your students have and also the ability reading new music!

The performance is again a wonderful one, with sensitive and poetical playing, and your tempi are perfect. Please do thank all the performers, including the soli at the end! I am delighted to hear my music by young players. They are the future of music, especially in these times, and also because to study string instruments requires such long time (including adjusting constantly the pitches and practicing for long in order to  obtain a  good, nice sound.)

I have to confess, I could have never played this music when I was their age. So, this is even more amazing to me and very assuring to the future of music!

I am deeply grateful and wish you all a happy holiday season! ~Karel

Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 12:08 PM

“I love listening to you and the students play. You make my day, everyday!”

Bernard Kaplan, proud principal of the John L. Miller-Great Neck North HS since 1993

“Truly impressive seeing what those students are capable of….. If I closed my eyes I wouldn't know the average age in the room is an adolescent.  I wish I could have stayed longer….”

Takoa Lawson, Science Teacher at North High

The current performing groups have been featured in concert at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall on many occasions in the past ten years.  These groups regularly appear on Channel 75 and Channel 20 on Long Island's North Shore.  The Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra have also played under the batons of Joseph Turrin, JoAnn Falletta, John-Szicheng Lau, the late Jens Nygard, Patricia Spencer , Michael Flamhaft, Michael Lipsey,  David Jolly, Michael Tong, Olivier Fluchaire, David Winkler, Prof. Sean Reed, Prof. Christopher Tibaldi, David Stewart Wiley, Brian Worsdale, David Bernard,  Frank Rugers, Susan Deaver and violinist/conductor Michael Gilbert.  

Great Neck is a suburb of New York City, located on the North Shore of Long Island just east of the Queens border.  Once a community that was part of Queens, Great Neck joined Nassau County in 1898 when the county was created.  The Great Neck Public School System has possessed a tradition of excellence since its inception in 1814!  There exists a dedicated relationship between the Great Neck community and its school system.  This dedication is illustrated by the fact that there have been only 4 superintendents since 1943.  The first graduating class of Great Neck High School was in 1896.  The current high school building, a magnificent structure of style and beauty, has housed its students, faculty, staff AND MUSIC DEPARTMENT  since 1928.  It is one of the very few original high school buildings in the nation.  Great Neck High School is now known as the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School, named after the distinguished superintendent from 1943 until 1971.

The Great Neck, East Williston and Herricks school districts respectively ranked second, seventh and eighth in New York on the data analysis website’s annual Best School Districts list.

The Storm before the Calm: Preparing for the First Day of Classes 

https://nafme.org/storm-calm-preparing-first-day-classes/

Know the Musical Scales to Reach Monumental Heights
https://nafme.org/know-musical-scales-reach-monumental-heights/

Getting Students To Play Gigs Off Campus

http://getbanded.com/getting-students-to-play-gigs-off-campus/

Teaching Music August 2016 issue
"A Community Minded Program" (pages 44-49)

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/55774537/music/4

 “Music Miracle: How Our Schools Hit A High Note” by Andy Newman about the Great Neck Music Program

https://issuu.com/anton.news/docs/great_neck_magazine_smaller

https://issuu.com/anton.news/docs/great_neck_magazine_smaller/32

Our music program is greatly supported by Board of Education President Barbara Berkowitz who attends many of our performances and events.

All of the members of the Administrative Staff of the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School are present at every school event: Principal Daniel Holtzman and Assistant Principals Patricia Hugo, Dr. Danny Krauz and Ron Levine.

The Fine and Performing Arts Department includes Art educators: Joseph Giacalone, Emily Man, Linda Haase, Christine Eisenhauer; Drama Director Ilana Schikler Meredith and Chair and Choral Director Dr. Pamela Levy

The Music Program’s best friends include the NH Custodial Staff led by Christopher Vecchio, TV North led by Michael Meehan, the Athletics Dept led by Coach Eamonn Flood, the NH secretarial staff and the Music Parent Boosters: Nancy Notar-Francesco, Vivian Hong, Robin Schlusselberg

Finally and most significiantly, we recognize the music teachers who trained our musicians:

NMS- Arielle Cooperman Murdocco, Matthew Trinkwald, Anthony Virgilio, Andrew Denise

EMB-Anne Fogarty, Cynthia Gorney

JFK-Patrick Kennedy, Allie Lambraia  

SR-Chad Lasky, Dr. Christopher Wilson

LA- Jacquelyn Tomlet

The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 1/4

https://youtu.be/dvVsFiIZZso




The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 2/4

https://youtu.be/9Yt3ZZBBAdE


The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 3/4

https://youtu.be/p_QIe3w1q0E



The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert 4/4

https://youtu.be/JdhGsycwaMw


The John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Symphony Orchestra’s 29th Young Peoples Concert

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vS5mVNY2j4jYyo6JjkBdju17TuyqFg-1EBKruOA0utTZDM2umbVsGbuIsicANyzG8ZXcV30_Iv0VJdK/p





Winter Concert 2019 by Mike Meehan youtube links
The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School on Tuesday, December 17th 2019
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRHC6l-czyWy7y1GAuITzYmH00zlzoVxzEdjsKXXpfaHZLrPXpKJpv0DyUHVudhsCe48ggmx6vNfs89/p

The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Brahms Requiem

https://youtu.be/tY-bBoVnRB8


The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Mahler Symphony No. 2 March

https://youtu.be/HN98i-PSvyw


The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Strauss Blue Danube

https://youtu.be/CWDp-jZUnNM


The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2019 Schubert 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nzk-Qw8JAw&feature=youtu.be


The 91st Winter Concert at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Dec 17 2029 Beethoven 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hm_zplVx9U&feature=youtu.be

Congratulations to the 2019 NH Grad Orchestra and Singers 

John L. Miller-Great Neck North HS Symphony Orchestra at Commencement 2019 PART 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewgx1pCZdNQ&feature=youtu.be

John L. Miller-Great Neck North HS Symphony Orchestra at Commencement 2019 PART 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qgRcqn9psg&feature=youtu.be

James Kinder, Director of Photography

And like some Directors (à la Hitchcock), Kinder likes to make a cameo appearance (see part 2)

2019 GRADS!!

Keep music in your life.  If at all possible, keep playing your instrument.  When you play your instrument in college, you're bound to make more life-long friends!

If you were unable to perform with us because of the Chemistry and/or Physics Regents Exams, I want to say how much I appreciate that some of you attended our rehearsals anyway.  You really helped the freshmen players learn this difficult music and you are among the very dedicated musicians of our program.  THANK YOU!

To the Musicians who played at the NHS Commencement:

What a spectacular way to end an incredible year!  I appreciate that you attended all those rehearsals during your finals and regents exams and spending the first day of your summer vacation making the Commencement extra special for the graduates and their families, our faculty and administration and the entire Board of Education.  Our performance of Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Bernstein’s West Side Story and Shostakovich’s Finale from Symphony No. 5 completely rocked the house! 

The music you played before the ceremony (music composed or performed by John Coltrane) and during the recessional (Celebration!, To Life!, Saturday Night Fever, New York New York) was a perfect ending to a perfect Commencement.  

Teachers, administrators, the staff, students and parents who do not normally attend our concerts were extremely surprised to hear what a fine ensemble you make.  The people who work at Tilles Center (who deal with the finest musicians from the great orchestras of the world), as well as Mr. Robert Zahn and the TV75 crew were also very impressed by your musicianship and discipline.  Each time we were warming up and touching up spots in the rehearsals, you were so intent and focused on our work together that you didn't notice them observing you.   I received many compliments from people who were present at our “open rehearsal” at 8:00 am. 

Our compliments also to Senior Singers and Dr. Levy in their passionate and heartfelt good-bye performance!

 To the Instrumentalists:

As you've heard me say before, every time you pick up your instrument, it's a performance.  You never know when somebody is listening or being moved by your sounds.  You've done so much for so many people this year in the work we've done in class, in the time you've spent practicing alone and in our public performances--live and on TV75.  When the Great Neck residents watch your performances on TV75, they know that their tax dollars are being put to excellent use in our school music program.

I am very proud of what you've accomplished this year.   Look for the daily broadcast of our Commencement performance on Channel 75 this summer!

https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/14252

go to: 1:12:32

I, myself, am very excited about spending my summer rehearsing with fellow musicians and I will keep you posted about my concerts.

July 24, 2019 in Manhattan is one that features several members of the GNPS Faculty! 

SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 at 6:30 pm!

https://www.ferry.nyc/events/stuyvesant-cove-summer-concert-series-lower-east-side/

Have a great summer and email or text me when you hear, sing or play great music! 

Practice when and as much as you can, 

or quit.

Senior Singers

Guest of Honor Dr. William A. Shine

NH Grad Orchestra

Maestra Molly Racsko

Maestro Yoel Hawa

Celli Bassi

Val Hawa Sal Rothbaum

Violins

More Violins

Happy Grad Musicians

2019 NH Commencement Audience

THE 2019 GREAT NECK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL GRAD ENSEMBLE

59 musicians

38 seniors

21 underclass

Although unable to perform because of the Chemistry and/or Physics Regents on Graduation Day, we were happy to have the presence of

Katherine Smolens Izzy Hidasi, Nora Monasheri, Kevin Khadavi and Daniel Choi 

VIOLIN-12

*Sophia R Askari     

*Lynda Bigio             

*Liorah Felorian      

*Isobelle H (Belle) Lim

*Shannon Liu            

*Sharona Moradi    

Sally Sarker

Adam Tsou

Tiantian Emily Wei

*Rachel You            

Daniel Zeng

*Christopher Lu

VIOLA-4

Ariella Cohen

*Yoel Hawa

Elizabeth Margiloff

Christopher Matos Suero (Chris)

CELLO-4

*Neil Chou                                  

*Emily R Cohen

*Michael Cohenmehr                

Joshua Oken

BASS-2

*Alan Chau

*Etan Y Sedaghatfar

FLUTE-6

*Sarah R Tang

Kelly Chau

*Zoe Lampione                           

Alice Liu

*Xi (Mandy) Sun

Madeline Yang

OBOE-2

Kaiming Zhang

Christine Tiong

BASSOON-1

*Cody J Yam                              

CLARINET-7

*Kayla S Yousefzadeh               

*Eyal Hakimi

*Bob Qian

*Joshua B Rothbaum

*Nathaniel Y Sehati  OT

Ashleigh Wong

Brandan Chen

BASS CLARINET-2

*Frederick N Sion

Jesse Racsko

TENOR SAX-2

*Molly Racsko

*Daniel Chitsaz                          

HORN-1

*Daniel Itzkowitz    

TRUMPET-5

*Benjamin S Cohen  

*Jonathan Kirshner 

Emma Sassouni

*Alexander Sum                         

Ilan Greenblatt

TROMBONE-1

*Michelle Goh

EUPHONIUM-1

*Omeed A Tartak

TUBA-2

Preston Chan

*Edrian A Kokhabi                     

PERCUSSION-7

*Samuel Calto

*XiKai (Kevin) Liao                  

Sabrina Schlusselberg              

Oscar Wostenholme

*Jacob Landerer                       

*Aaron B Geula                         

*Lucien Wostenholme

* Senior Musician

Joseph Rutkowski

Instrumental Music Director,  John L. Miller - Great Neck North High School

Administrative Teacher-MUSIC, John L. Miller - Great Neck North High School

Tri-M Chapter 2605 Advisor

35 Polo Road

Great Neck, NY 11023

(516) 441-4751

JRutkowski@greatneck.k12.ny.us

Alternate email: josephrrutkowski@gmail.com

Check our web site: http://web.greatneck.k12.ny.us/nhmusic/