Holiday Cheer for All to Hear
Farmingdale, NY (December 15, 2020)-- Twenty-Three Farmingdale student musicians from Weldon E. Howitt Middle School and Farmingdale High School, along with four alumni and eight members of staff and administration, performed in the 47th annual Tuba Christmas concert, held at the Howitt Middle School courtyard.
“We were thrilled to be able to continue the Tuba Christmas tradition in Farmingdale during a year that so many special events have been canceled”, said band director Erica Hartman. “It is always an honor to be able to play with your students and colleagues. Next year we hope to be back on the ice at Rockefeller Center but if not we will be right back here at Howitt!”
In years past, as is tradition, the performance would take place under the famous tree in Rockefeller Center and would include a collaboration with approximately 400 other musicians from across the country. The need to remain responsible and socially distant didn’t stop Dalers from spreading holiday cheer for all to hear! The Tuba Christmas concert consisted of three songs, performed live in the courtyard. Band members played “Deck the Halls'', “Jingle Bells''and finished strong with “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. Many band members dressed inofficial Farmingdale Tuba Christmas hats with their instruments adorned with tinsel and lights. Even Superintendent Paul Defendini joined the band for this festive performance.
“It was such an honor to perform with such a dedicated group of teachers and students”, said Superintendent, Paul Defendini. “Tuba Christmas was another example of our amazing staffmaking the best of a difficult situation.”
Tuba Christmas was conceived by tuba virtuoso Harvey Phillips to honor his late mentor and teacher, William J. Bell —born Christmas Day, 1902. The first Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center was performed in 1974, and the tradition is held annually in over two hundred cities around the world. Past musical performances done by Farmingdale’s student-musicians have received high praise. Most notably, Farmingdale’s Symphony Orchestra was recently recognized by Rolf Anderson, son of renowned “Sleigh Ride” composer Leroy Anderson, for their remarkable 2018 performance of “A Christmas Festival”.
TUBA CHRISTMAS VIDEO
https://youtu.be/sy32K80mDg0
2020 TUBA CHRISTMAS PARTICIPANTS
Howitt Middle School
Alessandro Chavarria-Fuentes
Andrew Adamo
Zachary Commike
Luke Ferraiolo
Nicholas Agrillo
Angel Aguilar
Ava Vaden
Gavin Frank
Mason Schwimmer
Christian D'Amico
Jackson Defendini
Farmingdale High School
Hayden Bailey
Nicholas Maltese
Jabari Wellington
Ariana Diaz
Kevin Piranio
Aidan Kelly
Ashton Jonak
Will Bany
Olivia Espinosa
Sean Ramirez
Charlotte Rutkowski
Joe Sancetta
Alumni
Gio Maraboli: Julliard
Jason Lensky: Crane School of Music
Alex Felker: Ithaca University
Aiden Timko: Crane School of Music
Staff & Administration
Jennifer Tower
Erica Hartmann
Gina Pellettiere
Barbara Liberman
Matthew DeMasi
Phil Scanze
Greg Warnokowski