Wheatley Spring Concert (Part 2) Wraps up the Season!

Posted 6 June 2017

At tonight’s Spring Concert (Part 2), the audience was treated to wonderful performances by our Stage Band, Jazz Band, Intermediate Chorus, Intermediate & Concert Band and Symphonic Band.

Under the guidance of our music teachers, Angela Luftig, Dr. Peggy Ho and Stan Orlovsky — as well as faculty members Steven Fitzko and Rick Leidenfrost-Wilson — our music students did a wonderful job with some engaging musical pieces!

This was a special concert for many of our students, as 9 members of the Class of 2017 performed at their final Wheatley concert. We will miss them, and we wish them the best as they grow musically beyond Wheatley! The graduating seniors performing tonight were:

Aileen Chowdhury
Lianna Golden
Steven John
Allison Levy
Antonio Liparoto
Gil Lotzky
Brianna O’Brien
Sumu Pitchayan
Kevin Yi

Spring Concert (Part 1) Delights!

Posted 23 May 2017

Filed under Arts, Concerts, Music, Students

The first of our two spring concerts was held earlier this evening (Tuesday, 23 May) in the Wheatley Auditorium. The evening featured our Intermediate Orchestra (under the direction of Angela Luftig), our Concert Orchestra (under the direction of Stan Orlovsky), our Chorale (under the direction of Angela Luftig with Rick Leidenfrost-Wilson as accompanist), our Honors String Ensemble (under the direction of Angela Luftig) and our Symphonic Orchestra (under the direction of Stan Orlovsky).

The concert featured scores of student performers, with 16 of them being members of the Class of 2015. These graduating students have committed countless hours to our music program over the years. We are grateful for their participation and wish them a music-filled life as they graduate from Wheatley!

The graduating seniors include:

Ariana Arralde
Claire Baker
Laura D’Angelo
Lianna Golden
Sahaj Gulati
Rebecca Khorsandi
Jane Kim
Diana Lee
Lauren Levine
Allison Levy
Antonio Liparoto
Elizabeth Nolan
Kevin Yi
Sara Zulfiqar

Although there were so many wonderful aspects of this concert, I would be remiss if I were to not mention that Pastoral, one of the pieces performed by the Intermediate Orchestra, was composed by our very own 8th Grader, Elizabeth Yuen.

EWSD Senior Citizens Treated to Lunch and a Wonderful Show!

Posted 28 March 2017

Filed under Arts, Community, Concerts, Culture, Parents, Student Clubs, Students

On Saturday afternoon, nearly 100 of our community Senior Citizens enjoyed a wonderful luncheon followed by a special matinee production of Xanadu: The Musical! This annual tradition was organized and supported by the efforts of the following staff:

Linda Leff
Allison Chanin-Bermudez
Joan Anderson
Diane Fezza
Barbara Klein
Karen Love

Additionally, a number of students volunteered their time to serve the community members, including:

Rachel Fuzaylov
Diana Lee
Mary Ma
Ethan Moreh
Sumu Pitchayan
Jessica Poomkudy
Jesse Romano
Cooper Tanenhaus
Alice Ye

During the luncheon, members of the cas spent time intermingling with the attendees.

Thanks to Linda Leff for the photos of this wonderful event!

GenderFest 2017 a Wonderful Celebration!

Posted 7 March 2017

Filed under Concerts, Student Clubs, Students

On Monday, 6 March, Wheatley’s Gender Equality Club hosted our very first GenderFest in the cafeteria from 3:00-5:00 pm in honor of Women’s History Month. Students honored women in the entertainment industry by showcasing a local Long Island female band, Antigone Rising. This band has performed all throughout the United States and the world. Their outreach program, Girls Rising, seeks to engage students at home and abroad about the challenges that women have faced in the entertainment industry and how they personally have addressed and learned from these challenges.

Following the concert, the club and additional Wheatley clubs will be hosted henna booths, poetry readings and seminars on gender inequalities. Of course, there was plenty of food as well!

Our Gender Equality Club worked tirelessly to prepare for GenderFest! We are thankful for the work of its advisor, Cindy Schwartz, in guiding the students in preparation for the successful event!

More Photos from the Wheatley-Bronx Arts Ensemble Joint Concert!

Posted 26 February 2017

Filed under Community, Concerts, Music, Students

I have two sets of photos to share from the wonderful Wheatley-Bronx Arts Ensemble joint concert held just before the February break! The first set is from our very own Randy Horowitz, who has been generous with her photographs of school events over the years.

The second set is from our friends at Island Photography! Enjoy!

Wheatley-Bronx Arts Ensemble Joint Concert Entertains and Delights!

Posted 16 February 2017

Filed under Arts, Community, Concerts, Music, Students

On Wednesday evening, Wheatley students and East Williston music faculty partnered with the professional musicians from the Bronx Arts Ensemble to present a lovely evening of music and entertainment. As part of this program, the professional musicians provided several group tutoring sessions to students who were participating in this joint concert, leading into a full rehearsal the afternoon of the concert. It is an inspirational evening for all involved!

Wheatley graduate David Krauss (Class of 1989), Principal Trumpet for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, joined the combined group for a wonderful Haydn concerto. Before playing, David spoke movingly about his music instruction in East Williston, mention North Side teacher Peter Pane (who first gave him a trumpet), Willets Road instructor Mark Meyers, and two of his Wheatley teachers, David Heckendorn and Gail Renaudo. Mark, David and Gail were in the audience to see David perform!

For me, a highlight of the evening was the opportunity to narrate Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf with the combined group.

It is worth reiterating that such an wonderful evening takes place through the support of our Board of Education, Nassau BOCES and the Bronx Arts Ensemble. A special “Thank You” to our very own Angela Luftig for her coordination of this event!