Amante Chorus Rehearses with 'The People's Tenor'

The excitement continues to mount this week as Garden City Middle School choral students prepare for the special upcoming concert with Michael Amante, especially after having a chance to work with him Wednesday. 

To add to the festivity, TV anchor Danielle Campbell and her crew from News 12 came by to film them rehearsing (the segment will appear on News 12 Nov. 15). The concert, a tribute to veterans, is scheduled for Dec. 12 at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury (formerly Westbury Music Fair). 

Amante was quietly encouraging, giving students great tips on how to perform in a concert setting. He added that the concert is a great thing to do, especially with thanking veterans for all their sacrifices. Amante's father was a World War II veteran.

Dr. Nina Prasso, district curriculum coordinator for music and art, enthused, "The Garden City community is supremely supportive of the arts. The students have a wonderful opportunity to perform with All-State, with other events and now with Michael Amante … Based on our work with the music department and the Music and Theatre Legacy Foundation, our students get to participate in the performance of a lifetime. The superintendent and the school board have been supportive with everything we do. It's a great district for the performing arts."

Nancy Menges is the vocal teacher who works with the Amante Chorus singers, who are thrilled to be performing with "The People's Tenor," especially after hearing his wonderful multi-octave singing.

Nancy Crowley is the middle school nurse and mom of Amante Chorus singer Kristen. She said, "As parents we're so fortunate to have Mrs. Menges working with our children. She puts in hours of rehearsal time. She's dedicated. The kids have come in early for Festival Chorus."

For more information on the Michael Amante concert with the Garden City Middle School singers, call Kathleen Mucciolo-Kolins, president of the Music and Theatre Legacy Foundation, at 516-248-3734.