Levittown Musicians Earn Top Honors At Competition

The Division Avenue High School symphonic band and string orchestra, and Wisdom Lane Middle School honors band, each received a gold rating during the New York State School Music Association Majors Festival, held at Hofstra University on May 23.

Under the baton of Michael Bastone, the symphonic band was awarded the highest-level award with a Gold with Distinction. The group performed three works titled “Americans We” by Henry Fillmore, “When Spirits Soar” by Brian Balmages and “The Legend of the Sword” by David Shaffer.

Levittown Curriculum Associate for Music Vincent D’Ulisse noted that a Gold with Distinction rating is a high achievement and the first time in decades that a Levittown music group has received this designation. “It denotes a near flawless performance and is rarely achieved,” he said.

Under the direction of Mark Martufi, the Division Avenue High School string orchestra achieved a Gold medal for its performance of the energetic “Preludio for String Orchestra” by Paul Whear, “Elegy” by Edward Elgar and “Lion City” by Soon Hee Newbold. In addition, the Wisdom Lane Middle School Honors Band, comprised of students in grades 6 through 8 under the direction of Lori Katcher, also received a Gold Rating with its performance of three pieces and solo performances by Jason Adams, Johnny Genna Michael Kim, Matthew Klass, Mikey Pietraniello, Chris Powers and Liam Stasinski.

Photo: Levittown School District