‘Les Miz’ Sing Benefits Long Beach Public Schools

Story and Photos by Rosemary Leonetti

Great Neck North High School joined forces with Long Beach High School for a fundraising concert featuring the songs from “Les Misérables” to benefit the Long Beach Public Schools Comprehensive Arts Department, which suffered huge losses of equipment, musical scores, pianos and rehearsal rooms as a result of Superstorm Sandy.

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Coming together in March iin the North High School auditorium was a combined chorus of some 125 voices made up of Great Neck North High’s Jazz Choir, the Long Beach High School Select Choir and North High alumni, some of whom performed in North’s production of “Les Misérables” last year. Solos were performed by members of the Jazz Choir and numerous alumni. Audience members were not just viewers at this special event — they were invited to sing along on selected pieces.

The singers rehearsed together on the afternoon of March 23. The North High Music Boosters provided dinner prior to the concert.

Great Neck North High School composer-in-residence Roger Ames and English teacher Jeffrey Gilden coordinated the event, with choral director Dr. Janine Robinson and parent Jeff Blye assisting on keyboards. Long Beach Director of Comprehensive Arts Dr. Dale Johanson and music teacher Michael Capobianco worked hand in hand with them to organize this cooperative endeavor between the two schools.

The idea to do a fundraiser for Long Beach grew out of a desire by North High music students to help their fellow musicians. It began with the Jazz Choir donating the money they usually raise to cover the cost of their annual trip to perform at Disney World. Under the guidance of fine and performing arts department chair Neil Saggerson and Mr. Ames, the idea took off.

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