Northport HS Orchestra Chosen To Perform At Kennedy Center In Winter

NORTHPORT, NY — The Northport High School orchestra was one of four chosen to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in February, the school district announced.

The event selected 15 orchestras across the country to apply and narrowed the group down to four, including Northport High School's. The event will provide students a masterclass with a retired conductor/military colonel, a tour of the Kennedy Center and a performance on the Kennedy Center stage.

The Northport students performed at the American String Teachers Association’s (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival in Orlando in March. After the festival, professional performance tour organizer Music Celebrations International took note of the "remarkable talent and skill" at Northport High School, according to the school district. As a result, NHS Orchestra Director Michael Susinno received an invitation to apply to the event at the Kennedy Center. He then submitted videos of the students performing and was notified of their selection this month.

Orchestra President and senior Hannah Cho expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.

"I’m just feeling excited and feeling really grateful, especially after going to ASTA last year and having the opportunity to do that, I just felt so blessed because there were so many opportunities to come out of that and I know that performing at the Kennedy Center will do the same," Cho said in a news release.

While the NHS orchestra has displayed its talents to audiences far and wide, Cho noted the role that the orchestra has taken on within the local community is just as special.

Describing the orchestra's performances at local events such as the farmer’s market, she said, "It’s just really great to be a part of an orchestra that’s willing to put themselves out there and support the community any way they can."

Susinno said that despite the orchestra’s busy schedule, he didn’t want to deprive the students of a wonderful opportunity and decided to apply. He was both surprised and elated at their selection and is now working with students to prepare for the performance, according to the district.

"The performance will take place on President’s Day in Washington D.C. and is sure to draw a significant crowd," the district wrote.