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Schools

Mineola High School Bands Bid Farewell to Seniors at Spring Concert

65 members of band, orchestra and chorus perform for the last time as seniors.

The audience at the sat in awe as Monday night watching the music department put on its end of the year concert series.

The annual spring concert included selections from the ninth and tenth grade band and orchestra, eleventh and twelfth grade band and orchestra as well as the treble chorus, dynamics, string ensemble, the A Cappella Singers, and Jazz and concert band.

The songs were carefully chosen to resemble a diverse selection of music from around the world. While there were the traditional, classical pieces like “Hallelujah,” a few oldies were also mixed in like audience favorite: “You Can't Stop the Beat.”

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In addition, students in the chorus performed a unique selection of songs in different languages: “Hotaru Koi,” a Japanese children’s song that resembles the sounds of little firefly’s buzzing around.

For many students like freshman Emilia Bescterta, it was their first year taking part in the series.

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“I’m here because I love music,” she said. “It’s a great way to meet new friends, socialize with the older kids and do what I enjoy the most.”

For every one of the new freshmen faces that shared the spotlight, there were the seniors, 65 in total, who took to the stage for their last time as high school students.

“Each year, the spring concert marks the end for our seniors but also their parents,” principal Ed Escobar said.

While some graduating seniors expressed a sense of accomplishment and relief, Nick Fiori described the feeling as “bittersweet.”

Although Fiori does not plan on playing the baritone at Binghamton this fall, he said he will remember the close-knit group of friends he made in the band.

“Most of us have been playing in the orchestra together since sixth grade,” graduating senior, Christine Barry said. “College will be an adjustment, we are sad now and it hasn’t even fully hit us.”

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