Rockville Centre students perform annual jazz concert; Lichter family awards memorial scholarship to Eric Junker

Rockville Centre Union Free School District students closed the evening with a combined middle- and high-school jazz performance and the presentation of the annual Lichter Memorial Scholarship at South Side Middle School in Rockville Centre.

The concert showcased ensembles from South Side High School and South Side Middle School and concluded with a joint finale. ‘‘My name is Katie Mark. I'm the director of the arts at the Rockville Centre Schools, and I'm thrilled to be here with you tonight,’’ said Katie Mark, introducing the program and acknowledging Superintendent Matt Gavin and Board of Education member Janet Gruner in attendance.

The Lichter Memorial Scholarship, presented by Carolyn and Erin Lichter, was awarded to student trumpeter Eric Junker. Carolyn Lichter described the award's origins as a tribute to her son, Stefan, and said the scholarship is intended to ‘‘be somebody who loves music and will use this award to further their interest and love of music, whether they become a professional or not.’’ She told the audience the award was started the year after Stefan's death and that the selection is made by the district music teachers.

The concert featured multiple ensembles and soloists across styles and eras. South Side High School ensembles performed charts including a Count Basie arrangement and jazz standards; soloists listed by emcee and directors included Zoe Dwyer (tenor sax), Mickie Morris (drums), Parker Faliveni (trombone), Joseph Ferrelli (bass), William Barry (trumpet) and several student pianists, guitarists and brass players. The middle school band, under the direction of Dr. Beyersdorf, offered its own set and then joined the high school for the evening's finale. Directors and staff emphasized mentorship: Katie Mark noted the combined performance offers high school students ‘‘an opportunity for mentorship and leadership’’ with younger musicians.

The program also credited student technicians who ran four cameras for a live recording that will be edited for the district's YouTube channel. Rob Lichter supervised the TV-studio students responsible for editing and camera work.

In remarks about the Lichter Scholarship, Carolyn Lichter said the family receives an annual follow-up letter from former recipients and that winners have used the award for music camps, lessons or instruments. She asked that the prize be used ‘‘to enrich your music experience’’ and confirmed the panel that chooses winners is composed of the middle- and high-school music teachers. The family traced the award's origin to the early 1990s: Stefan graduated from South Side High School in 1986, the family began the scholarship in 1993, and they noted the program's long list of past recipients in the concert program.

The evening's set list ranged from big-band charts such as ‘‘Corner Pocket’’ and Buddy Rich arrangements to contemporary and Latin-influenced pieces; directors introduced pieces and named featured soloists throughout the program. Multiple students were highlighted both for onstage solos and for stepping into rhythmic or sectional roles when peers were absent.

The concert ended with acknowledgments to the Lichter family, the music faculty and the student performers and technicians. Katie Mark thanked the audience for its support and encouraged viewers to look for the district's edited video of the performance on the Rockville Centre Schools YouTube channel in the days after the concert.