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