Welcome Back to a new Season (2019/2020) of Concerts, Events and Activities of the Tri-M Chapter 2605 (John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School)

*** Tri-M Chapter 2605 John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Joseph Rutkowski, Advisor 

We miss Dr. Janine Robinson, Neil Saggerson, Bernie Kaplan, Roger Ames, Denise Eisner, Amy Kempton, Karen Lee 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

Click here to see a video of Mr. Tomaselli

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 2018/2019 SEASON…

A Summary of The 2018/2019 Music Program

 
There is no room quite like room 218 at the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School on Long Island, NY.  Thanks to my teachers, Larry Sobol, Max Watras, Alfred Longo, Fred Belec, Earl Higgins, Neil Saggerson and Abe Baumel who showed me the way to get teenagers to love playing great music. The night of the concert is a most special time!

The Night of the Concert in room 218 01

 

The Night of the Concert in room 218 01

 

The Night of the Concert in room 218 03

 

Fortunately, what happens in room 218 doesn't stay in Vegas.

 

Thanks to the support of NH Administrators Patty Hugo, Danny Krauz, Ron Levine, Mike Neary and the drumming skills of Principal Dan Holtzman, the musicians of room 218 have a weekly public performance on Friday mornings in the school lobby for a roaming, roving and yet appreciative audience

The NH Faculty Band

 

And thanks to NH Media Man Mike Meehan and Computer Maven Chris Pipalo, the most recent Winter Concert highlight is explained and broadcasted:

Why Rutkowski was shaking his head after Debussy

The Excel File of “Great Neck Musicians who performed at Carnegie Hall” created by Sydney Rotman and updated by Christopher Lu

North High Musicians at Carnegie Hall part 1

North High Musicians at Carnegie Hall part 2

JOHN L. MILLER-GREAT NECK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

MUSIC PROGRAM

2019/2020 SEASON

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

North High is a Long Island Music Hall of Fame High School of Excellence

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!

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 70th 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

* 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)

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, every day!”

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.

https://theislandnow.com/featured/niche-ranks-3-north-shore-districts-among-n-y-s-top-10/

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

HS Musicians Perform At Atria By Andy Newman -December 25, 2013

http://greatneckrecord.com/hs-musicians-delight-atria-residents/

“The Power of Music”

online at nafme.org     Go to MY CLASSROOM and choose  "Journals/Magazines" from the drop Music in a Minuet blog post on the NAfME website:

https://nafme.org/a-teachers-perspective-the-power-of-music/

Artfest article in GN Record July 6,2018 by Jason Beeferman

http://greatneckrecord.com/talent-on-display-at-artfest/

Music that Tells a Story
Young Peoples Concert 2018

Music That Tells A Story--Great Neck North High School Young Peoples Concert 2018 Part 1 of 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0K-GLfA0Z8&t=1695s

Music That Tells A Story GN NH YPC 2018 02
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghnuyrmeZjA&t=1090s


Music That Tells A Story--Great Neck North High School Young Peoples Concert 2018 Part 3 of 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9m5IpXeB4

Lobby Music-Jazz by the Chamber Music Class

https://youtu.be/aqpbi9VNge4
https://youtu.be/IUBsmn_tuXY

Phantom Pit Exit Music April 21, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qwuDgrfKe8&feature=youtu.be

North High School musicians to perform at Long Island Music Hall of Fame benefit concert

https://theislandnow.com/school-news/north-high-school-musicians-to-perform-at-long-island-music-hall-of-fame-benefit-concert/

Long Island Music Hall of Fame 2017 HOLIDAY CONCERT at Westbury Music Fair (November)
https://vimeo.com/barsandtoneproductions/review/247811340/9cd516ed60

How music education is crucial to the future of live music Allegro Magazine

https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/how-music-education-is-crucial-to-the-future-of-live-music/

Article on teaching music in the Local 802 Allegro magazine
(scroll down to last article after Cellist Amy Camus)
http://www.local802afm.org/2013/07/the-art-of-teaching-music/

North High Symphony Orchestra performance of Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 at LI Music Hall of Fame Concert at Northport High School April 3, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jve-NYUc6A&t=56s

Review of  the April 3, 2018 LIMHoF concert featuring NH Shostakovich 5th

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

LI Music Hall of Fame Press Conference October 2016

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AGD5dn6P_KOskV4&cid=40BEAABE9A7CB308&id=40BEAABE9A7CB308%211521&parId=40BEAABE9A7CB308%211523&o=OneUp  

LI Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony October 2016

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AIU1H8eVojxeyPM&cid=40BEAABE9A7CB308&id=40BEAABE9A7CB308%211515&parId=40BEAABE9A7CB308%212264&o=OneUp

WQXR Radio Classical Hero
WQXR Classical Hero of May 2018

Membership/Career Questions—MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

https://nafme.org/member-spotlight-joseph-rutkowski/?utm_source=OSN+October+15+2015&utm_campaign=OSN+October+15+2015&utm_medium=email

 Radio show WHPC “My Hometown Great Neck North Music Program” July 2018
http://www.mediafire.com/file/l86ssehx93cdghg/My+Hometown+Great+Neck+North+Music+Program.mp3

TV75 interview
http://tv.greatneck.k12.ny.us/fota16.html

Quarter Finalist of 2013 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixWFwb_smx4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JaCPrn3nB4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG3ocxTnrSs

Quarter Finalist of 2016 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award

Quarter Finalist of 2017 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRV7oG7Tw-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sR2fcremIs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq_d10bldEM

Stuyvesant High School Instrumental Music Program 1988

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkJu9VnYY8E

The Mission of the John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Music Program

At Great Neck North High School, our public performances in school and off campus (from nursing homes and elementary schools to Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center) are on a very high level.  Yet, we focus on teaching our students how to practice their instruments (and vocal techniques), listen to music critically and use technology to compose and orchestrate so that every graduate of North High values and supports the most important subject that can be studied in high school: MUSIC.

https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/13704

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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 is led by Chairperson Dr. Pamela Levy and includes Art educators: Joseph Giacalone, Emily Man, Linda Haase, Christine Eisenhauer; Drama Director Ilana Meredith 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 significantly, we recognize the music teachers who trained our musicians:

NMS- Arielle Cooperman Murdocco, Matthew Trinkwald, Anthony Virgilio

EMB-Anne Fogarty, Cynthia Gorney

JFK-Patrick Kennedy

SR-Chad Lasky, Christopher Wilson

LA- Jacquelyn Tomlet