East Islip students showcase spring concert as parent group sells raffle to support music program

The East Islip Union Free School District’s RCK Music Department presented its 2025 spring concert, featuring fourth-grade orchestra, band and choir performances and announcements about fundraising, safety and pick-up procedures.

The concert matters to students and families because it showcased the district’s elementary music instruction, highlighted parent fundraising that supports scholarships and programming, and used a district livestream to expand access for families who could not attend.

Event organizers opened the show with logistical and safety instructions. An event host asked attendees to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and told parents, “At the end of the child's performance, please meet your child in the same space where you dropped them off,” and to note the nearest exits. The host also asked, “Please keep your cell phones away. They're very distracting,” and thanked the Board of Education for attending. The host’s remarks included a reference to two students, Liliana and Lily, who were introduced to make announcements.

Performances included selections identified in program remarks: First Light by David Shaffer; a piece by John O’Reilly and Mike Williams; and Gallant March by Michael Sweeney. Teachers and music staff introduced pieces and named student participants. The fourth-grade orchestra’s final selection was introduced as “Shiver,” and the program thanked Mrs. DeMaria for helping with tuning and piano accompaniment. The band director, identified in the program as Miss Lehi, and choir director Miss Post led their respective student ensembles.

The district noted support from its parent organization, referenced as EIMaps, which the host said was selling raffle tickets in the lobby to raise money “for our music and art” programs and to provide scholarships and other opportunities. The host also asked the audience to applaud Tex from the district’s technology department for live-streaming the concert “so you can watch it after the show.”

At the event’s close, staff gave pickup directions: students in orchestra were to be picked up in the orchestra room, band students in the band room, and chorus students in the cafeteria. Staff thanked families for supporting rehearsals, encouraged continued participation in music, and reminded attendees that children would be supervised and would meet parents at the designated pickup locations.

No formal district actions, votes or policy decisions were made during the event; remarks were limited to announcements, acknowledgments and performances.