Holiday Cheer for All to Hear

Farmingdale NY

21 December, 2020

8:17 AM

Description

Farmingdale, NY (December 15, 2020)-- Twenty-Three Farmingdale student musicians from Weldon E. Howitt Middle School and Farmingdale High School, along with four alumni and eight members of staff and administration, performed in the 47th annual Tuba Christmas concert, held at the Howitt Middle School courtyard. "We were thrilled to be able to continue the Tuba Christmas tradition in Farmingdale during a year that so many special events have been canceled", said band director Erica Hartman. "It is always an honor to be able to play with your students and colleagues. Next year we hope to be back on the ice at Rockefeller Center but if not we will be right back here at Howitt!" In years past, as is tradition, the performance would take place under the famous tree in Rockefeller Center and would include a collaboration with approximately 400 other musicians from across the country. The need to remain responsible and socially distant didn't stop Dalers from spreading holiday cheer for all to hear! The Tuba Christmas concert consisted of three songs, performed live in the courtyard. Band members played "Deck the Halls'', "Jingle Bells'' and finished strong with "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". Many band members dressed in official Farmingdale Tuba Christmas hats with their instruments adorned with tinsel and lights. Even Superintendent Paul Defendini joined the band for this festive performance. "It was such an honor to perform with such a dedicated group of teachers and students", said Superintendent, Paul Defendini. "Tuba Christmas was another example of our amazing staff making the best of a difficult situation." Tuba Christmas was conceived by tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips to honor his late mentor and teacher, William J. Bell —born Christmas Day, 1902. The first Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center was performed in 1974, and the tradition is held annually in over two hundred cities around the world. Past musical performances done by Farmingdale's student-musicians have received high praise. Most notably, Farmingdale's Symphony Orchestra was recently recognized by Rolf Anderson, son of renowned "Sleigh Ride" composer Leroy Anderson, for their remarkable 2018 performance of "A Christmas Festival". TUBA CHRISTMAS VIDEOhttps://youtu.be/sy32K80mDg0 2020 TUBA CHRISTMAS PARTICIPANTS Howitt Middle School Alessandro Chavarria-Fuentes Andrew Adamo Zachary Commike Luke Ferraiolo Nicholas Agrillo Angel Aguilar Ava Vaden Gavin Frank Mason Schwimmer Christian D'Amico Jackson Defendini Farmingdale High School Hayden Bailey Nicholas Maltese Jabari Wellington Ariana Diaz Kevin Piranio Aidan Kelly Ashton Jonak Will Bany Olivia Espinosa Sean Ramirez Charlotte Rutkowski Joe Sancetta Alumni Gio Maraboli: Julliard Jason Lensky: Crane School of Music Alex Felker: Ithaca University Aiden Timko: Crane School of Music Staff & Administration Jennifer Tower Erica Hartmann Gina Pellettiere Barbara Liberman Matthew DeMasi Phil Scanze Greg Warnokowski Paul Defendini