The Rocky Point Music Department’s annual Jazz Night took place on April 29. During one of the final days of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Rocky Point Middle School and High School guitar ensembles, High School varsity select choir, and the Middle School and High School jazz ensembles each performed upbeat, entertaining and challenging sets of music.

The Middle School Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Dave Ventura, opened the show with a wonderful performance. The students, all with a varying level of experience, put on a wonderful performance. Their set included, “The Sounds of Jazz” and the Beatles classic, “Come Together.” The High School Guitar Ensemble, also under the direction of Mr. Ventura, performed challenging selections with some well-known crowd pleasers. Soloists included Ian Dowling, David Estrada Escobar and Loukas Sakalis. Mr. Ventura and the students had lots of fun during their sets.

The High School Varsity Select Choir, under the direction of Miss Jessica Spitz, performed various pop music favorites, including, “Africa” from the band Toto. High School students Chloe Gravinese and Nathan Watkis accompanied the choir on piano. Soloists included Jonathan Alesi and Owen Hayes, as well as a trio with seniors Maya Alexander, Isabella Kelly and Katie Romano. In this group, Miss Spitz empowers the students to select the repertoire. Additionally, student section leaders are responsible for running portions of the rehearsals to reinforce the parts. This approach to student-centered learning provides a sense of ownership for the members of the choir.

The Middle School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Vincent Ragona, played a delightful collection of jazz classics and standards. Their set was highlighted by their closing number, Herbie Hancock’s, “Chameleon.” The Middle School Jazz Ensemble featured solos by Jeremy Moriarty on trumpet, Alicia Santos on alto saxophone, Brielle Merlo and John Bellport on baritone saxophones, Nathan Watkis on trombone, Grayson Steigerwald on bass and Maya MacCarthy on piano.

The High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Kyra Kenwood, performed jazz and popular selections and standards that included “Come Fly With Me” and “Moondance.” Soloists included: Camryn O’Neill and Allyson Opitz on alto saxophones, Oliver Fiore on tenor saxophone, Brielle Merlo on baritone saxophone, Jeremy Moriarty on trumpet, Jake Scheffer on clarinet, Madelyn Ilardi on bassoon, Nathan Watkis on trombone and piano, Maya MacCarthy on piano, Grayson Steigerwald on upright acoustic and electric bass and Ethan Wills and Jalon Hypolite on drums.

This concert was the perfect way to bring Jazz Appreciation Month to a close. Jazz Appreciation Month (fondly known as JAM) was created at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the month of April. JAM is intended to stimulate and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz - to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz and more.

A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Music Department chairpersons Mr. Craig Knapp and Ms. Amy Schecher read: “Congratulations to all the students who worked so hard for the many months leading into Jazz Night. Many of your rehearsals were in the evenings and you are to be acknowledged for managing your busy schedules to be involved. Your dedication to each other and to the music department is uplifting! Thank you to Mr. Ventura for providing the opportunity for the guitar students to prosper in Rocky Point. We are very lucky to be one of the few Long Island public schools to offer a program for guitar students. Thank you to Miss Spitz for providing an outlet for vocal students to work on and explore music not typically performed in the traditional high school choral setting. Also, thank you to Miss Spitz for creating a performance opportunity where our wonderful high school piano students are featured. Thank you to Mr. Ragona and Ms. Kenwood for creating an environment where all instrumentalists feel welcome and can be successful. It’s not very often you hear a bassoon solo in a jazz band! Thank you and congratulations to all the students on a wonderful set of performances. It was a fun evening of music, and we were very impressed with the level of talent and musicianship demonstrated. It was fabulous to see and hear the students explore and perform a variety of musical genres. We are particularly grateful for how Mr. Ventura, Miss Spitz, Mr. Ragona and Ms. Kenwood create an inclusive environment of respect, acceptance and support within their respective ensembles. We are extremely proud of all the students involved. Thank you to the families of these talented students for all their support and encouragement. Thank you to all the administrators and Board of Education members for their continued support of our music programs. Thank you to all involved in making Jazz Night a fun-filled evening of music!”