HISTORY
The Kennedy HS program was founded by Lee Goldberg (who scored the original Kennedy HS Alma Mater) at the beginning of the schools inception. Mr. Goldberg also taught at Mepham HS and was a local clarinet teacher to many of his students. Mr. Vincent Heilker took over the program. While much of this time was missing in the archives things seem to trace back to the inception of an orchestra and band program. Once Barry Beeber became director of instrumental music the program began to truly flourish. Multiple bands were created, an orchestra, chamber ensembles and the full extent of the Kennedy HS Band/Orchestra program was in full bloom. Mr. Beeber would create field shows by flying weekly to visit college programs and then create them to his students at JFK. . It was during that time that Neil Grover, now percussionist from the Boston Pops, began his studies at Kennedy HS. It was a flourishing program performing great transcription and full orchestral works and a tremendous chamber ensemble program.
Upon Mr. Beeber leaving teaching, Dr. Byers took over for a few years. The program continued to flourish and maintain itself. Robert Smolensky came on board 1980's and was director of band and orchestra for 20 years. Mr. Smolensky was the first to bring students on trips to Washington DC, Boston, MA, Canada and beyond. The marching band performed at Shea and Yankee Stadium throughout these years. Upon retirement, Mr. Smolensky's position was filled by Mr. Marcello Blanco and then Mr. Michael Rubenstein. Mr. Rubinstein was the first band director to take the Kennedy HS Symphonic Band to NYSSMA Majors- where they received a Gold rating.
Mr. Avellaneda joined the Kennedy HS faculty in 2007. Within one year, another orchestra was created and the first Wind Ensemble class was created. Shortly after, overnight trips resumed and over the years the Kennedy HS program flourished. Today Kennedy HS band students work with college professors, professional conductors and composers on a yearly basis. It is the goal of the Kennedy HS program to provide an experience of a lifetime for its students while fostering a life long love for Music.
In the past seventeen years the Kennedy High School band program has been an advocate for new music. Please see list of new works below.
The Kennedy HS Wind Ensemble was the first civilian band to ever perform at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in 2023. They premiered with Clarence HS Chorale and Wind Ensemble Stephen Melillo's: That We Might Live- A Documentary in Music which was conducted by the composer. The 65 minute work received its NY premiere on 1 May 2023. The concert was covered on local news and newspapers.
Past-President of Bands
Skylar Berkley & Maggie Zaretz (2017)
Paige Friedman (2016)
Mara Friedman (2015)
Briana Krackow (2014)
Francine Chirico (2013)
Guest Clinicians
Mr. Carl Strommen, Composer, 2022
Mr. Stephen Melillo, Composer/Conductor (2019,2023)
Mr. Neil Grover, Percussionist & Alumni (2018)
Mr. Carl Strommen, Composer/Arranger (2017)
Dr. Michel Smith, The Catholic University of America (2014)
Mr. Allen Gray, President, Matrix Publishing & Disney Performing Arts (2013)
Dr. Michael Smith, The Catholic University of America (2012)
Chad Shoppman, Disney Performing Arts (2011)
Dr. Richard Sang, The Aaron Copland School of Music (2011)
Mr. Thomas Davis, Composer & Self-Publisher of Tom Davis Music (2010)
Previous Tours
Nashville, TN (2024)
Virginia Beach, VA (2023)
Disney World, FL (2022)
Disney World, FL (2019)
Boston, MA (2018)
Walt Disney world, Buena Vista, FL (2016)
Boston, MA (2015)
Washington DC, Baltimore, MD (2014)
Walt Disney World, Buena Vista, FL (2013)
Walt Disney World, Buena Vista, FL (2011)
Washington DC, Virginia Beach, Baltimore, MD (2010)
Previous Day Trips
2022- A Beautiful Noise: the Music of Neil Diamond & Carmine's Italian Restaurant
2019- Beautiful a Carole King Musical, Carmines Italian Restaurant
2017- Beautiful a Carole King Musical, NY Philharmonic Open Rehearsal, Rockefeller Center Food Cour & Bucca Di Beppo's!
2015-On The Town! (Broadway), Carmine's Restaurant, Lunch @ Rockefeller Center Food Court, and Radio City Music Hall tour.
2014- New York Philharmonic Open Rehearsal, Lunch @ Rockefeller Center Food Court, Motown on Broadway, and Dinner at Virgil's BBQ.
2013- New York Philharmonic Open Rehearsal, Lunch @ Rockefeller Center Food Court, Newsies on Broadway, and Dinner at Virgil's BBQ.
2012- Broadway (Jersey Boys), Tour of Radio City Music Hall, & Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp
2011- Broadway (Wicked), NY Philharmonic Educational Clinic, Sbarro's, & Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
2010 - Broadway (West Side Story), Tour of Lincoln Center, Sbarro's, & Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
World Premieres/Commissions
not(Alone) by Randall Standridge, Spring 2022
A Walk in the Park by Carl Strommen, Spring 2021
to Love and be Loved by Stephen Melillo 2019 Dedicated to the Life & Memory of Ms. Lorraine Poppe
Symphony No. 1 by Matthew Bertan, Spring 2008
21 Won Way: A Tribute to Roberto Clemente by Stephen Melillo, Spring 2010
Special Athletic Performances
Hofstra University Basketball (2012)
Shea Stadium 1990's
Yankee Stadium 1990's
NAfME All-National Honors Musicians
Beatrice Brown, Flute, All-National Concert Band (2014)
NAfME All-Eastern Honors Musicians
Skylar Berkley, All Eastern Honors Orchestra (2017)
Beatrice Brown, Flute, All-Eastern Honors Band (2015)
NYSSMA All-State Musicians
Cooper Moran, AS Symphonic Band (2019)
Andrew Brinton, Alternate (2019)
Hugh Cheung, Alterate (2019)
Skylar Berkley, AS Wind Ensemble (2016)
Jack Lido, Tuba, 2015 (Alternate)
Skylar Berkley, Clarinet, 2015 (Alternate)
Beatrice Brown, Flute, Wind Ensemble(2013)
Diana Herrera, Clarinet, 2013(Alternate)
David Glaser, Jazz Trumpet, 2013 (Alternate)
Eric Fegan, Jazz Piano, 2012 (Alternate)
Daniel Janis, Tenor Saxophone, 2012 (Alternate)
Briana Krackow, Voice, 2012 (Alternate)
Eric Fegan, Jazz Piano, 2011 (Alternate)
Matthew Stern, Tuba, 2009 AS Symphonic Band
Jared Scott London, 2008 AS Symphonic Band
Cameron Breen, Trumpet, 2007 AS Symphonic Band
Daniel Donadio, 2007 AS Symphonic Band
NMEA All-County Musicians (List in Progress...)
Steven Alexander (2015,2016, 2017)
Jack Lido (2015,2014,2016,2017)
Skylar Berkley (2017,2016, 2015,2014)
Hugh Cheung (2017)
Ekaterina Fakinos (2017)
Brett Gold (2017)
Emma Gold (2017)
Edward Grimes(2017)
Pete Panagiotis 2015
Beatrice Brown (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)
Diana Herrera (2015.2014.2013)
Alexander Capelonga (2015,2014,2013,2012
David Glaser (2015,2014,2013,2012)
Briana Krackow (2011,2012,2013,2014)
Wyatt Goodwin (2011,2012,2013,2014)
Joshua Goldman
Matthew Stern
Jordan Peters
Daniel Janis
Cory Azmon
Rebecca Schreiber
Jared Scott London
Cameron Breen
Daniel Donadio
Band Recipient's of the Scott Kemp Memorial Scholarship
Rebecca Schreiber (2008)
Shari Paltrowitz (2014)
Beatrice Brown (2015)
Skylar Berkley (2017)
AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Director's Award
Steven Alexander (2017)
Paige Friedman (2016)
Mara Friedman (2015)
Daniel Janis (2013)
Jordan Peters (2011)
The John Philip Sousa Band Award
Eddie Grimes, Clarinet (2017)
Harrison Ivers, Clarinet (2016)
Diana Herrera, Clarinet (2015)
Aaron Plass, Tuba (2014)
Heather Spector, Clarinet (2013)
Aaron Berkowitz, Clarinet (2012)
Andrew Wood, Clarinet (2011)
Madeline Luongo, Flute (2010)
Arie Rennert, Clarinet (2009)
Howard Sosnik, Trumpet (1977)
Neil W. Grover, Percussion (1973)
The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Connor Schmidt, Tenor Saxophone (2017)
Eric McGarry, Trombone (2016)
David Glaser, Trumpet (2015)
Wyatt Goodwin, Trumpet (2014)
Asa Lieberman, Alto Saxophone (2013)
Jordan Brown, Trombone (2012)
Michael Mones, Bass (2011)
Jordan Needle, Trombone (2010)
Matthew Stephenson, Bass (2009)
Outstanding Musical Growth
Jasmine Hyman, Flute (2017)
Alex Dobosh, Saxophone (2016)
Aydin Kessler, Euphonium (2015)
Outstanding Musicianship
Jack Lido, Tuba (2017)
Samantha Simon, Percussion (2016)
Joshua Goldman, Percussion (2015)
*NEW*Outstanding Achievement Awards
2018
2017
Cooper Moran, Percussion (Rising Star)
Hugh Cheung, Bass Clarinet (Rising Star)
Jeffrey Lowell, Trumpet, Wind Ensemble
Jade Beauharnais, Clarinet, Symphonic Band
2016
Hunter Moran, Alto Sax (Rising Star)
Sam Moskowitz, Percussion
Taylor Baren, Percussion
Krista Rizzo, Flute
Tyler Fein, Guitar and Alto Saxophone
2015
Alexander Capelonga, Bass Clarinet
Gabbi D'Ambrosi, Clarinet/Piano
Alex Toback, Tenor Sax
Vincent Heller, Trumpet
Tyler Johnstone, Bari Sax
Shivani Sharma, Flute (Rising Star)
PREVIOUS DIRECTORS
Mr. Vincent Heilker, Directors of Bands and Orchestra Emeritus (1970)
Mr. Barry Bieber, Director of Instrumental Music (1971-1975)
Dr. Janita Beyers (1976-1978)
Mr. Robert Smolensky (1978-1998)
Mr. Marcello Blanco (1998-1999)
Mr. Michael Rubenstein (2000-2007)
Mr. Walter Avellaneda (2007- present)