Seven Bellport High School musicians were selected to participate in the prestigious 2022 High School All-County Music Festival, sponsored by The Suffolk Chapter of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education and the Suffolk Music Educators’ Association.

This year, Bellport had representatives in four performing groups, the All-County Treble Choir, Mixed Chorus, Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra. Over 14 hours of rehearsals culminated in a concert performance at Half Hollow Hills High School East on Friday, Nov. 18.

The students were selected based on their NYSSMA Solo Festival rating and nominations submitted by school music teachers last June. This festival recognizes Suffolk’s most accomplished high school music students in grades 11 and 12. 

The South Country Central School District extends its congratulations to the following musicians for a job well done.

Keira Ballan, Alto 1, Treble Choir
Liany Kasten, Alto 1, Treble Choir
MacKenzie Cover, Soprano 1, Treble Choir
Olivia Horn, Soprano, Mixed Chorus
Hannah Carlson, Violin 1, Symphony Orchestra
Emma Kuegel, Oboe, Symphony Orchestra
Grace Zimlinghaus , French Horn, Symphonic Band

Date Added: 12/1/2022

The South Country Central School District wrapped up its sixth annual summer music program on Aug. 12 with a concert at Bellport High School that showcased the talents of the participating student-musicians.

The weeklong summer program provided the opportunity for student-musicians in grades 5-12 to learn two new musical pieces on their primary instruments and also perform using djembes, xylophones and the marimba.

The 19 students practiced for four hours each day and performed pieces including “Intensity” by Sean O’Loughlin; “Sweet Guava Jelly,” a Jamaican folk song; “Banuwa,” a Liberian folk song; and “Viva La Vida” by Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin.

Date Added: 8/24/2022

The district congratulates the following for being nominated:

Lead Male in a Play:
Derek Griffin in the role of Mr. Green for “Clue”
Joseph Salerno in the role of Professor Plum for “Clue”

Lead Female in a Musical:
Keira Ballan in the role of Ella for “Cinderella”
Emma Butler in the role of Marie (Fairy Godmother) for “Cinderella”

Outstanding Performer in a Play or Musical:
Sydney Macioce in the role of Raccoon/Ensemble Member for Cinderella

Costume Assistants, Designers, Prop Masters & Managers:
Eric Ciavatta, Clue

Lighting Designers, Assistants & Crew:
Madeline Day, Clue
Elisha Feliz, Clue

Set Designers, Assistants & Crew:
Alexia Benjamin, Clue
Jamie Nobile, Clue

Stage Managers & Assistant Stage Managers:
Elisha Feliz, Cinderella
Vivienne Love, Clue and Cinderella
Marshall Porter, Clue

Stage Crew:
Jada Borrero, Clue
Eric Ciavatta, Clue,
Kailyn Ciavatta, Clue and Cinderella
Madeline Day, Clue and Cinderella
Jordan Edmondson, Clue
Elisha Feliz, Clue and Cinderella
Brady Hauptman, Clue and Cinderella
Miranda Laney, Clue
Thalia Mowdy, Cinderella
Jamie Nobile, Clue
Marshall Porter, Clue
Kaitlyn Schuessler, Cinderella
Jake Schwender, Clue
Ryan Seubert, Cinderella

Student Choreographers:
Sydney Macioce, Cinderella

Pit Orchestra Students:
Sara Cornacchiulo, Reed 1 (Flute/Piccolo)
Samantha DeLillo, Reed 3 (Clarinet, Bb Clarinet)
Maya Dixit, Horn 2
Anissa Gomez, Trombone
Violet Gordon, Violin 1
Melina Kasten, Violin 2
Emma Kuegel, Reed 2 (Oboe, Tenor Horn)
Marissa LaSorsa, Cello
Rachel Li, Viola
Leonardo Mignola, Trumpet 1
Jamie Nobile, Percussion – Drum Set
Rachel Petri, Violin 1
Natalie Ponter, Violin 2
Emily Robbins, Violin 1
Lola Schortemeyer, Bass
Leah Silvestre, Viola
Ella Steckle, Violin 2
Grace Zimlinghaus, Horn 1

Date Added: 6/22/2022

As proud family members looked on, 31 student-musicians from Bellport Middle School were inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society during a ceremony on June 13.

To be inducted, the students were required to be full-time members of a performing ensemble at Bellport Middle School, participate in the NYSSMA Solo Evaluation Festival, and exhibit leadership, service and character. They must also maintain a B average in their music classes and receive a recommendation from their music teachers.

The South Country Central School District extends its congratulations to the following inductees: Madison Aruta, Logeen Baslious, Barbara Bautista Castellanos, Valeria Bautista, Colin Capuano, Meaghan DeLillo, Rebecca DeLillo, Kaylyn Donovan, Hope Gorden, Penelope Gordon, Colin Knakal, Gabriella Lembo, Sarah Lewis, Matthew Manitta, Caitlin Maragioglio, Lucia McCollum, Stephanie Meininger, Bianca Mignola, Julio Montes-Santos, Jennifer Morales, Elizabeth Orsino, Nayla Ortiz Macas, Samantha Panasuk, Julius Radino, Sara Repper, Madelyn Schmidt, Kayla Schneider, Ryan Spence, Taylor Vertichio, Gabrielle Waller and Dylan Weiner.

Date Added: 6/21/2022

For its dedication to music, the South Country School District has been distinguished with a 2022 Best Communities for Music Education designation from the nonprofit NAMM Foundation. The district is one of 738 school districts from across the nation to earn the award.

To receive the recognition, South Country demonstrated outstanding achievement in its efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The district was required to answer detailed questions about its program, including funding, music class participation, instruction time and support.

Date Added: 4/18/2022