Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Valley Stream Central High School District Community Orchestra is returning for its annual summer concert series, continuing a local tradition that dates back nearly 60 years.
The orchestra, composed primarily of student musicians from the district, along with alumni and educators, will perform at the Valley Stream Village Green Bandshell on three consecutive Thursday nights, July 17, 24 and 31. The concerts begin at 8 p.m. and are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or other seating. All performances are weather permitting.
This summer’s ensemble is under the direction of Rafael Yeni, a 2017 graduate of Valley Stream South High. Yeni, a longtime performer in the orchestra as a student and later a manager and librarian, began leading the group last year. Now in his second year as conductor, he continues to build on the orchestra’s legacy of accessible and collaborative music-making.
“I feel that giving back to the community that had so much support for the arts and music, which in turn was supporting my own growth and development while I was in school, is such a rewarding experience,” Yenni said. "When I first ran it last year, naturally I was nervous, but excited. This year I can’t wait to run it again, and it’s definitely become something I look forward to doing for years to come.”
The orchestra is one of the only student-majority community ensembles on Long Island. Some 95 percent of its members are current or former Valley Stream students, according to Yeni, ranging from eighth-graders to recent graduates. Participation is open to all string players, regardless of skill level, with no audition required. The ensemble typically includes students alongside alumni, and even district orchestra instructors.
“Everyone is very supportive,” 18-year-old cello player Alyssa Gonzalez said. “The music is fun to play, and it’s a great way to gain more performing experience while growing more confident as a musician.”
The concert series is cosponsored by the Central High School District Board of Education and the village board. The full summer music series, which includes both orchestra and band performances, was founded in the mid-1950s by former Central High School music director John Smith. The orchestral performances began in 1966.
The orchestra operates on an unusually condensed rehearsal schedule. Each performance, typically 45 to 60 minutes long, is prepared with only one rehearsal the night before. The repertoire is selected with this time constraint in mind, and includes a wide variety of musical genres. One evening is dedicated to original string orchestra works that may not be classical in the traditional sense. Another program focuses on popular and contemporary music, including video game and movie soundtracks.
In previous seasons, the group has performed music from “Super Mario Galaxy,” a variety of films from the Japanese animation Studio Ghibli, and “Minecraft.” The final concert of the season often includes a mix of genres, and may feature vocalists as well as jazz, opera or musical theater.
The structure and success of the orchestra are made possible in part by the music teachers across the district’s schools, who help students build their musical foundation throughout the academic year.
“I personally don’t know how much credit I can take for preparing these students for these concerts besides selecting the repertoire, conducting and making the environment welcoming for all,” Yeni said. “I think it’s extremely important to highlight that these students are able to pull off this incredible feat due to the exceptional teachers within the district: Ms. Elizabeth Klamkin from South, Mrs. Tara Zamorano from Central, Ms. Victoria Alaimo from Memorial and Mrs. Rebecca Hayden from North do a phenomenal job during the school year striving for their students to be the best musicians they can. Without their dedication, this ensemble would not be possible, so I must sincerely thank them for that.”
Yeni earned a degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and a master’s in music composition from Queens College. His background includes extensive experience in orchestral, jazz and contemporary music, as well as arranging and composition.
His goal as conductor, he said, is to provide a welcoming, musically enriching experience for all participants and to foster a continued connection among the school district, the community and the arts.
