Thursday, October 1, 2026
Students across the Valley Stream 24 school district helped spread holiday cheer with festive concerts at Robert W. Carbonaro School and Brooklyn Avenue School, each showcasing student musicians and bringing families together for seasonal celebrations.
At Robert W. Carbonaro School, the community gathered for the school’s annual Holiday Concert, which highlighted performances by both the chorus and band. The chorus, led by Ashley Wilkey, performed a selection of popular holiday songs and enhanced the program by sharing seasonal messages that added a warm, personal element to the evening. The concert also featured band students under the direction of Nicholas Shmorhun, who performed several holiday-themed pieces and demonstrated their musical growth and enthusiasm. The event served as a celebration of student creativity, dedication and talent.
“This concert is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share the results of their hard work while bringing joy to our families and community,” Superintendent of Schools Unal Karakas said. “We are incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and performance, and deeply grateful to our music teachers whose commitment to music education nurtures creativity, confidence and a lifelong love of the arts.”
Brooklyn Avenue School also marked the season with its annual Winter Chorus Concert, filling the auditorium with music and holiday spirit. The evening began with a performance by eight orchestra students led by Gary Garzetta, setting the stage for the program. Chorus performances followed under the direction of music teacher Joanna Milanese and included a mix of classic and contemporary holiday selections. Students introduced each piece with brief remarks, helping to engage the audience throughout the concert.
Several moments added a playful and memorable touch to the Brooklyn Avenue performance, including a theatrical presentation of “Ugly Christmas Sweater,” featuring a student dancing through the audience, and “Here Comes the Snow,” which concluded with plush snowballs tossed into the crowd. The concert ended with a sing-along that brought students, families and staff together.
Together, the holiday concerts reflected the strong music programs District 24 and highlighted the sense of community and celebration shared by students, staff and families during the holiday season.
