The Rocky Point School District is pleased to announce that four students from Rocky Point Middle School and Rocky Point High School – sixth graders Weston Ernst, Henry Fiore and Travis Giagios and sophomore Kevin Wallach – participated in the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association “Day of Percussion” Festival, held at Sagamore Middle School on Feb. 7. The students are members of Mr. Vinny Ragona’s 9th/10th Grade High School Band and 6th Grade Middle School Band.

This year’s festival featured performances by the SCMEA All-County Percussion Ensemble and the Bridgehampton Marimba Ensemble. The festival also featured guest artists Prana Rising, Markus Rhoten and Mike Sorrentino. The event began with a drum circle and included several masterclasses, including a session for timpani, handpan and drum set.

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “We are very proud of the students who participated at the SCMEA Day of Percussion Festival. The SCMEA Day of Percussion hosts some of the world’s finest musicians for a wonderful evening of clinics and performances. We are grateful that our local professional music education organization offers festivals like this that our students can experience. Congratulations to the dedicated students that participated. We would also like to thank Mr. Ragona for preparing these talented students for this festival and for sharing the experience and learning with them. We are thankful that the Rocky Point School District Administration and Board of Education continues to support these forms of musical learning endeavors for the students and faculty members of the Rocky Point Music Department.”