Building on last year’s momentum when students from Bishop McGann Mercy Diocesan High School enjoyed “one of their greatest years” in the music program, three students have been selected to participate in this year’s NYSCAME/All-County choirs and band.
Last year, both the Jazz Ensemble and Voices of Mercy chamber choir placed first at the Music at the Park competitions at Great Adventure New Jersey and Busch Gardens Virginia, respectively. At the event, they had a number of individual members honored, including Dale Kelly (class of 2016) and Rebecca Lukachinski (class of 2016) chosen for distinction as soloists.
Building on this momentum, the music program this year has three students who have achieved NYSCAME/All-County selections.
Senior Stephanie Muller was chosen to be a vocalist for the Mixed Choir and junior Olivia Geppel was selected as a vocalist for the Women’s Choir. Junior Carla Fortmann was chosen to play clarinet in the band.
“These students are representing McGann-Mercy as the best in Suffolk County, a huge honor for the students as well as the school,” said the school in a press release.
In order to be considered for this honor, students must achieve a perfect or near-perfect score for their Level 6 All-State pieces, which they played at the spring 2016 NYSSMA solo festival.
The NYSCAME concert will be held Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30pm and will take place at Northport-East Northport High School.
On top of the NYSCAME selections, three students in the McGann-Mercy music program are also involved in pre-college programs with a focus on music. Carla Fortmann and her brother Daniel – a sophomore – are playing the clarinet and trumpet, respectively, in the Mannes Prep Senior Program at the New School’s College of Performing Arts in Manhattan. Senior Brandon Vassallo is playing the Jazz Drums as a part of the jazz ensemble for his program for the Stony Brook University Pre-College Division. Both require an audition for selection into these highly competitive programs.
“We are so excited about the past and present successes in our music program at McGann-Mercy,” said Principal Carl Semmler, Ed.D. “Our school is so fortunate to have Mr. Trelewicz coordinating music programs that bring a well-rounded education to our students. These students’ achievements are a testament to that approach to education.”
Source: Press release issued by Bishop McGann-Mercy High School.
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