Composer Richard DeBenedictis to receive award 1:15 p.m., Fri., March 16
Community residents are invited to Valley Stream Central High School's Keller Auditorium on Fletcher Avenue on Friday, March 16 at 1:15-2 p.m. when Central High School and the Village of Valley Stream bestow a Distinguished Alumni Award on nationally-known composer and conductor Richard DeBenedictis from the Class of 1953.
The Distinguished Alumni Award presentation at the school assembly is part of the Valley Stream High School District's celebration of its 75th anniversary, highlighting the tremendous creative productivity of district alumni and residents.
Mr. DeBenedictis, who is flying in from California, began his career as a dance music arranger for Broadway musicals and televised variety shows. Now he is perhaps most well-known as a television composer, having created the theme songs and underscores for the TV series "Matlock," "Jake and the Fatman," "Father Dowling Mysteries" and "Diagnosis Murder."
Scoring all 38 installments of the "Perry Mason" two-hour movies and the "Columbo" Movies of the Week are also among his vast television credits. His current project is arranging all the music for next winter's "Disney on Ice" spectaculars.
Mr. DeBenedictis has 10 Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Composition or Music/Lyrics or Music Direction for "Diagnosis Murder," "Perry Mason," "Matlock," "Father Dowling," "Police Story," "Dear Detective," "Zeigfeld, the Man and His Women," and "Barbara Streisand & Other Musical Instruments."
An exciting feature of Mr. DeBenedictis's return to New York is that Central, North, South High School and Memorial Junior High students will be performing some of his compositions at the two performances of the 44th annual District Music Festival on Friday, March 16. The free preview concert takes place at 9:45 a.m. The regular evening concert is at 8 p.m., with admission of $7 in advance, $10 at the door.
Mr. DeBenedictis will give a speech about his career, in accepting the Distinguished Alumni Award. He will also be introduced to the audience at the District Music Festival performances.
44th annual music festival
Featuring the finest instrumental and vocal musicians selected by audition from its four secondary schools, the Valley Stream High School District's 44th annual District Music Festival will be held on Friday, March 16 with two performances in Central High School's Keller Auditorium on Fletcher Ave.
At 9:45 a.m. is the free preview concert for senior citizens and elementary school students to which Dean Karahalis, District Coordinator of Fine & Performing Arts, cordially invites all senior citizens to attends.
The regular concert takes place at 8 p.m., with proceeds going to the PTA Scholarship Fund and the District Music Festival scholarships.
Performing at both concerts will be the students in the District Symphony Orchestra conducted by South High School orchestra director Margaret Silvera; the District Festival Chorus, led by South High School choral director Kyle D. Hayden; and the District Concert Band, under the baton of North High School band conductor William T. Kerr.
Central High School violinist Andrew Yang has been selected concertmaster of the district orchestra; Central clarinetist Christine Barcellino is concertmistress of the district band. Over 250 students will be performing in the three groups.
Always an eagerly-awaited announcement, midway through the evening concert, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ronald Valenti will announce the winners of this year's three District Music Festival scholarships, presented to the top musician graduating this June from Central, North and South High Schools.
As a special feature of this year's concert, in celebration of the Valley Stream High School District's 75th anniversary, the orchestra, band and chorus will each perform one number composed by Richard DeBenedictis, Central High School graduate from the Class of 1953, who is a nationally-known composer and conductor. Mr. DeBenedictis, who is flying in from California, will be presented with Central's Distinguished Alumni Award that afternoon on March 16 at 1:15 p.m. in a school assembly, to which the community is invited. He will also attend and be introduced at the two District Music Festival concerts.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. evening concert may be purchased in advance for $7 from the school music departments, or from Mr. Karahalis's office at 561- 4437. Admission at the door is $10. Seating is on a first-come basis.
The concert's snowdate is the next night, Saturday, March 17, same time, same place.
