By Darsh Mirchandani
New Hyde Park Memorial’s winter concert has typically been a combination of holiday spirit, talented performances and celebration. Since the start of the pandemic, concerts had to be held virtually. Even though all performing groups kept their spirits up and practiced hard, they were certainly different from previous years. However, the winter concert this year will finally be in person.
This year's concert will have a live audience, with all concertgoers required to wear masks. There will be no limit on the size of the audience and entry is free. In order to keep the concert safe for everyone, the junior high and senior high concerts will be combined over the evenings of December 16 and 20. The first concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and there will be a short intermission after it, during which the students and audience will leave the building. The second concert’s students and audience will then enter the building at 7:30 p.m. for the next performance.
“The music will get us all in the holiday spirit and both evenings are going to be a wonderful experience for the musicians and audience...”
“I am very proud of all the work our student musicians have put into music this year. It’s not easy to jump right back into performing after a long time away from it, and considering everything we have all gone through, our ensembles are making wonderful progress,” said band director Ms. Bagley.
Source from Mr. Noel Monat
Ms. Bagley sets the tempo for the eighth grade band's Christmas piece.
Because the senior high orchestra and eighth grade chorus are generally very large groups, they will be split into two different sections for safety precautions. The chorus will be singing distanced from each other on the risers with their masks on and the senior high orchestra will be playing with masks on as well. Although these groups will not be able to be as close as they were before, smaller programs can limit the number of members in the audience to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
“The schedule that has been put in place is a reasonable, well-structured and organized plan. I am very happy and excited to be able to perform again in front of a live audience, and I am looking forward to the orchestra's return to the stage,” said orchestra director Ms. Tomkiw.
Source by Debarati Chowdhury
Ms. Tomkiw conducts the 8th grade orchestra on stage to prepare for their winter performance.
After being virtual for so long, performers are glad to be back for the school year and certainly excited to finally showcase their talents and hard work in front of a live audience.
“I'm pretty excited to bring back in-person concerts. I think it will be super fun having an in-person concert. I know my parents love coming to the school concerts, so I think it will be enjoyable for everyone and something normal after these last few years,” said sophomore Rosie Zehnter.
Undoubtedly, there will still be people who are concerned about the safety of these concerts. For those who cannot attend, both concerts will be recorded and emailed out after the performances.
“We are doing our best to protect the musicians and their families and I am just thankful we have the opportunity to perform again in a safe manner. The music will get us all in the holiday spirit and both evenings are going to be a wonderful experience for the musicians and audience,” said seventh grade band director and chairperson of the music department, Mr. Monat.