East Islip’s award-winning secondary music program was on full display in December as its outstanding musicians took to the stage for a series of winter concerts at the high school auditorium. The students delivered consistently polished performances over five evening concerts – three for the middle school and two for the high school – drawing enthusiastic audiences and celebrating the dedication and talent of its young performers.

The East Islip High School ensembles included the string orchestra and honors symphony orchestra, both directed by Giovanna Ruggiero; the concert choir, directed by Patricia Bryan; the honors choir, directed by Bethany Affelt; the concert band, directed by James Tucker; and the honors wind ensemble, directed by Christopher Neske.

The East Islip Middle School performances featured the sixth grade band, directed by Lynda Maniscalco; the seventh grade concert band, directed by James Tucker; the eighth grade band, directed by Bridgette Funaro; the sixth grade chorus, seventh grade chorus and eighth grade chorus, all directed by Danielle Post; the sixth grade string orchestra, directed by Nicholas Siconolfi; and the seventh grade string orchestra and eighth grade string orchestra, both directed by Katelyn Odierna-Siani.

The high school’s Fermata Nowhere acapella group, directed by Michael Fernandez,  performed between each high school and middle school ensemble, further entertaining the audiences.