In Hampton Bays School District, students are known for their musical accomplishments. Through the leadership of Ms. Halsey and Ms. Padilla, music students are able to excel in their musical endeavors and perform at a high level, often being selected for local music events and state ensembles.
Throughout Hampton Bays High School, there are numerous musical ensembles that rehearse and perform throughout our community, the largest groups being the band and chorus. Smaller, selective groups for both ensembles perform in Hampton Bays as well, including the Select and Chamber Choirs as well as the Jazz Band. Throughout the school year, all five ensembles participate in not only their winter and spring concerts but also other performances. The standards held by the Hampton Bays High School music department are very high and the student musicians work everyday to improve their personal and group performance skills.
The glue of the Hampton Bays High School Music Department begins with its teachers: Ms. Halsey (band teacher) and Ms. Padilla (vocal teacher). Music students in Hampton Bays constantly express gratitude for their leadership and the countless hours they spend dedicated to the growth of their music students. Hannah Russell, a freshman at Hampton Bays who is involved in numerous musical groups including Select Choir, Tri-M, Chamber Choir, and the NYSCOSS Saratoga performance group, says, “The teachers are really amazing with the students and just make my day brighter.”
Alongside Hannah, senior Olivia Allen said, “Mrs. Halsey and Mrs. Padilla make the department what it is. They are kind, dedicated, and trustworthy people that impact me and every other student within the department.” Gratitude and appreciation for HBHS’s music teachers is felt on a daily basis.
Outside of local performance groups, students who excel in their fields of music are often chosen for selective groups across the state. This school year, sophomore Willem Sarkis was selected for the New York State Band Directors Association Honors band, for which he will perform in Syracuse. Willem stated, “It’s really helped me expand on my musical interests, and Mrs. Halsey has pushed me to do a lot more than I would have done on my own.”
In addition to Willem, senior Kaya Raynor, and juniors Brendon Molar and Aaron Arias performed in various New York State Council of Music Administrators for Music Education ensembles this November. Raynor stated, “From my selection into many advanced music groups, I have learned how to push myself in ways that I never once thought was possible.” All music students chosen for these extremely selective groups are some of the most hardworking students in HBHS.
The music department also hosts a chapter of Tri-M Music Honor Society where members participate in musical leadership opportunities throughout the community as well as host cabaret nights to highlight students’ talents. The members of the honor society also hosted a trunk-or-treat for the Hampton Bays Pre-Kindergarten program and sang Christmas carols at Southampton Hospital for the holidays.
In April, the ensembles will be traveling down to Orlando to perform at Disney. The band will march along Main Street in Disney playing “Disney Parade Sequence” while the chorus is heading down to Orlando to perform as well. Both groups look forward to this incredible experience.
