Music rules at Freeport’s Spring Festival

On a delightful spring evening, the Freeport Public Schools’ Board of Education members, administrators, students, families, and community members gathered at the Performing Arts Center on May 7 to celebrate music and the arts, highlighting the exceptional talents of Freeport’s high school students.

The annual Spring Festival of the Arts featured captivating performances by the school’s instrumental ensembles, including the combined concert orchestra, freshmen orchestra, and sinfonietta, all under the expert direction of Jill Boardman, alongside the concert band and wind ensemble led by Michael LaSorsa.

Ms. Boardman initiated the concert with the combined orchestra, gracefully passing the baton to James Kelly, a student teacher from Hofstra University, who conducted three of the four pieces performed. These included “Symphony No. 1” by J. Bologne, “Colors of the Wind” by A. Menken and S. Schwartz, and the “Finale” from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

The concert band then took center stage, guided by Queens College student teacher Paul Giorlando under the mentorship of Director Michael LaSorsa. Their repertoire included mesmerizing pieces such as “C-141 Starlifter” by R.D. Standridge, “Centuria” by J. Swearingen, and “Encanto” by R.W. Smith.

Beyond the musical delights, attendees were treated to a visually enchanting slideshow presentation, featuring an array of artworks crafted by the students. This presentation highlighted the diverse artistic mediums taught to the students, showcasing the varied talents and passions of Freeport High School’s emerging artists.

The Festival of the Arts reached its crescendo with captivating performances by the sinfonietta and the wind ensemble, leaving the audience spellbound and underscoring the profound depth of musical talent present at Freeport High School.