Rockville Centre fourth- and fifth-graders stage spring concert; district announces instrument-selection night and alumni recital

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from the Rockville Centre Union Free School District performed a spring concert at Hewitt School, showcasing band, orchestra and chorus ensembles and including a student premiere.

The principal welcomed families and told students, “Your support means the world to our young musician musicians,” and encouraged performers to “take a deep breath, smile, and enjoy every moment on stage.” The program included band pieces titled High Adventure, Dragon Fire and Let’s Go Go; a student-premiered orchestra work introduced as The Bells; and chorus selections such as Listen to the Music, Fambanae and I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.

Why it matters: The event highlighted the district’s elementary music curriculum and its transition opportunities for current fourth- and fifth-grade students. School leaders used the concert to announce two upcoming events intended to support continuing student participation in music: an instrument-selection night for third-grade families on Monday, June 16, and an alumni recital on Tuesday, June 17. The district also pointed families to its ArtsRBC Instagram account for event information.

Program details and acknowledgments included multiple teacher and staff recognitions. Teachers named in announcements included Mr. Keith Hayam, who directed the Hewitt band, and Mr. Yenny, who led orchestra performances. Dr. Freiling served as accompanist for orchestra and chorus selections. Two middle-school students, Elliana Glusman and Louis Teal, were thanked for recording the evening’s performance for students’ archives. Principal remarks noted that band, orchestra and chorus students will be picked up after the concert in specific rooms: orchestra students in Room 120 and band students in Room 118; chorus students would return to audience seats for pickup.

Students introduced and performed pieces from a range of styles. A viola player identified as Karina introduced the orchestra premiere, explained texturally that the piece features "bell-like" calls between upper and lower strings, and identified the piece as Mr. Yenny’s The Bells. Other student musicians named in introductions included Alyanna and Charlie (strings), Carolyn (cello) and Emily Gansey (violin). Chorus groups performed a mix of folk and theatrical repertoire; one chorus introduction noted that “The Gospel Train” referenced the Underground Railroad and themes of hope and freedom.

Logistics and reminders: Organizers asked the audience to remain seated until all choral students could leave the stage safely. The principal thanked custodial staff and music teachers, and reminded third-grade families about the district’s instrument-selection night where high school students will demonstrate available instruments and allow third graders to try them. Families were directed to the ArtsRBC Instagram account for schedules and program updates.

No formal board action was taken during the event; announcements were informational. There were no motions, votes or policy decisions recorded at the concert.

The district did not specify student counts or the concert’s date in the on-record remarks; where dates were announced for future events, they were given as June 16 for instrument selection and June 17 for the alumni recital.