As the school year comes to an end so, too, does one of the most successful years of Marine Park Intermediate School 278’s music programs.
In addition to performances at local community events and for two sold-out Spring Concerts, the Music Program at IS 278, 1925 Stuart Street, is receiving accolades far and wide.
The school’s bands competed at the annual “Music in the Parks” competition in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a regional competition of both middle schools and high schools.
Marine Park’s Symphonic Band and Eighth Grade Jazz Ensemble both earned Overall Achievement Awards for the middle school or high school with the most outstanding performance. Additionally, tenor sax player, Brandon Tighe of the Eighth Grade Jazz Ensemble, won the award for Best Solo Performance.
The Beginner Jazz Band, who earned a rating of “Excellent” at the competition, and placed third amongst middle school bands, was also honored.
The school’s bands then competed at the annual New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Festival where, once again, the Eighth Grade Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Band Director Tony Mazzocchi, earned the highest rating of “Gold with Distinction.”
Mazzocchi’s Symphonic Band earned Gold and Band Director Candis Pohl’s Beginner Band and Beginner Jazz Band earned Silver.
During the NYSSMA Festival, first year Choral Director Renee Browne’s choruses made an impressive showing as the sixth and eighth grade choruses earned Silver and the seventh grade chorus earned Bronze.
