Two LBHS Students Earn All-State Music Honors

Long Beach High School seniors Russell Goetz and Joseph Keiserman have been selected to perform in both the All-State Mixed Chorus and the All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble at the 2012 New York State School Music Association All-State Winter Conference, which will be held in Rochester from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2.

Both young musicians have elected to perform in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. This is the second year in a row that both students earned All-State honors. They will perform at the renowned Eastman Theatre under the direction of nationally prominent conductors. This is one of the highest honors bestowed on high school music students in New York State. Thousands of students auditioned for this honor at solo evaluation festivals held across the state last year.

To acknowledge their accomplishment, while paying homage to the memory of 9/11, the Long Beach Board of Education invited Russell and Joseph to perform a special rendition of “Proud to Be an American,” at the Sept. 11 board meeting. Their performance brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance.

Russell, an eight-time All-County musician, had the honor of singing with fellow All-State jazz vocalists last year at the state capital. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society and performs in the high school jazz ensemble, select choir, chorus and wind ensemble. He has also played leading roles in the high school’s drama and musical productions and will serve as student director of both productions this year.

Joseph is an 11-time All-County musician, having been selected to perform in the symphony orchestra, mixed chorus and vocal jazz ensemble. He performed last year in the All-State Symphony Orchestra. He has also earned the honor of being selected to perform in the Long Island String Festival. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society and performs in the select choir, chamber orchestra and concert orchestra. He has played leading roles in the high school’s drama and musical productions and was the student director of both productions last year. Joseph is also studying musical theater at the Long Island High School for the Arts.