Herricks High School students who are currently members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society had to achieve top marks in the New York State School Music Association test to attain Tri-M status.
Last Wednesday night, most of the 100 honor society musicians demonstrated the skills they needed to gain the honor at a Herricks Chamber Concert in the Herricks High School auditorium.
“It was a very high level professional performance and very expressive,” said Anissa Arnold, Herricks director of music and performing arts. “It was a great selection of pieces with varied styles of music presented.”
The students credited the school district’s approach to music education for their success with students introduced to playing instruments in the third grade.
“In Herricks, we’re really grateful our music education starts so early,” said Dustin Liu, a Herricks junior who plays the cello.
Luelle Grace Serrano, a Herricks Tri-M senior who plays violin, said she also appreciated the time spent in school working with other musicians.
“Working in an orchestra in class, you build teamwork and musicality,” Serrano said.
Scott Stickley, director of the Herricks Wind Ensemble, said the Tri-M musicians develop their skills over a long period of time.
“Becoming instrumentalists at that level takes a lot of initiative and a lot of lonely work,” Stickley said.
For the finale of the concert performance, the orchestra members demonstrated their group unity by playing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 without a conductor.
Chamber orchestra conductor Robin Maddux said the ability to perform as a group without a conductor was an indication of the Tri-M musicians’ abilities.
“They just function at such a mature level of musicianship. They have a passion for music,” Maddux said. “They hold themselves to a very high standard and really connect with each other to express their music.”
The students said also playing music provides an oasis of peace in their daily routines.
“At home or in school, it’s like a haven. It lets you take a break,” said Herricks senior Angel Ding, who plays violin. “Even at my busiest, I take out my violin and practice for 30 minutes.”
“It takes you away,” added Liu.
Most of Tri-M students also take private music lessons. They also typically play at least one instrument besides their principle performance instrument.
“You can develop your own musical identity with multiple musical instruments,” Ding said.
Senior Yacub Rahman followed his older brother’s lead in playing clarinet, but eventually took up the violin as his primary instrument.
“We all play our own individual instruments. But we all plays leads and harmonies that tell you what the music is all about,” he said.
Junior Rachel Kim has expanded her musicianship beyond playing cello in the chamber orchestra. She made two appearances in last Wednesday’s concert, singing alto in the Herricks Chamber Choir.
She said there’s a big difference in performing with her voice as her instrument.
“I stepped out of my boundaries and experienced what it’s really like to perform for an audience,” Kim said.
The students said the chamber orchestra itself will step out of its classical mode to play in a tango festival with the orchestra at Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus.
Arnold said the Tri-M students are also involved in community service, playing free concerts at the Herricks Community Center and retirement homes.
Rachel Kim was one of several Tri-M musicians who has done service as a mentor for students in the Herricks Summer Music program.
She said she intends to pursue a career in music therapy. But she said whatever path she and her fellow students follow in the future, she is certain music will be part of it.
“We’re definitely going to continue music beyond high school because it’s a very important part of our lives,” Kim said.
