Mineola Students Perform with Professional Chorus

Guests filtered into the  in Garden City on Sunday to enjoy an afternoon filled with beautiful choral music performed by members of the Long Island Masterworks. The group's annual holiday concert had a special feature this year, with two young boys from the  performing soprano solos.

Brian Goldman, who teaches at the Cross Street and  schools, and  teacher Joe Owens are active singers in the choral group and are always looking for ways to get their students involved.

A member of the Masterworks since 2002, Owens is currently serving at the Assistant Director of the Chorus. "When I heard that they were going to be doing a piece that required a boy soloist, as I usually try and find opportunities for my students, I surveyed my kids and found one who was interested," Owens said. "I worked with him on preparing the piece. From the results, it's going to be a pretty great performance."

The teachers picked two students for the solo positions needed to perform "Chichester Psalms" by Leonard Bernstein: Nathan Bischoff from  and middle school student Luis Tinoco.

"I have always liked to sing, but I never realized how good I was at singing until Mr. Goldman asked if I wanted to try this," Bischoff, 10, said.  "I like singing, I have done it for a really long time," Tinocco, 11, said. "I kind of annoy my brothers sometimes with how much I sing."

Owens explained that they try and get the students involved in whatever way they can, as the district's music program – especially chorus – is expanding.

Under the direction of conductor Frances C. Roberts, the concert included selections such as "Marienlieder, Opus 22" by Johannes Brahms, "Ceremony of Carols, Opus 28" by Benjamin Britten and the aforementioned "Chinchester Psalms."

Founded in 1990 as a non-profit organization, Long Island Masterworks is a professional choral group that has grown to acclaimed status.

"It was formed out of the singers who were, at the time, in the Long Island Philharmonic," Mary Nummelin, President of the Board of Directors for the Masterworks Chorus, stated. "It is a special and elite group filled with singers who are Long Islanders, who love music and are often classically trained musicians."

Echoing through the depths of the expansive cathedral, the singers of the Masterworks captivated the audience from the first note they sang. Utilizing a melodic blend of talent, the organization is truly something special to those who participate as well as those who come to watch.

"We have something of a gem here that a lot of people don't know about," Nummelin said. "We really want people to experience this type of choral music because it is uplifting and engaging. It is something we really need to preserve or protect."

To learn more about the Long Island Masterworks, please click here.