For many students, the spring concert holds significance beyond showcasing musical talent. The event represents months of hard work and preparation from students and staff to create a magical final performance. For graduating seniors who have participated in New Hyde Park Memorial’s music program, this event serves as a final performance before closing a chapter. This year also marked a new chapter for the orchestra program under the first-year orchestra teacher, Mr. Kramer. Throughout this school year, he has made contributions to the program by encouraging students’ involvement in shaping its future.
“My experience with the orchestra program this year has been incredible. I have lots of support from administration and parents, and a ton of freedom to create and modify the program to really make it our ‘own,’” orchestra teacher Mr. Kramer said. “It is an ongoing process to figure out what makes NHP’s orchestra US!! Are we classical? Are we NON classical? What do we want to be known for? This is how I am approaching it. I am trying to include the opinions of all the students and community members, as this program should belong to ALL of us. This was the idea behind starting the ABC (Anything But Classical) orchestra.”
For senior Rahel Zachariah, the concert carried a special significance as one of the final milestones of high school. As both a musician and student composer, Rahel reflected on the journey that began years earlier.
“A final concert feels like a closing chapter. It also feels like a bittersweet moment to reflect on the years of performance, rehearsals, and friendships I made, and how they’ve shaped me. It feels like a full circle to our first concert in 8th grade, and we’ve improved a lot since then,” Zachariah said.
While each student’s experience in the music program was unique, many graduating seniors shared similar feelings about performing in their final spring concert. As they reflected on years of rehearsals, performances, and friendships, seniors described the event as both a celebration of their accomplishments and a difficult goodbye to a program that had become an important part of their high school experience.
“Honestly, this being my last performance has been so bittersweet. A part of me is so sad that I’ll have to leave all of the friends I’ve made in band and that I’ll have to leave my memories behind, but at the same time, I’m growing, and I’ll get to have new experiences and make even more fun memories as a college student, so it’s not totally saddening. I’ll miss the band a lot though!!” senior Meera Lal said.
“The final concert felt like a trip down memory lane realizing it will be the last time performing with my peers and playing in the auditorium. I am grateful for the opportunities that NHP music has given me in the past years and always cherish the moments,” senior Clayton Wong said.
Similarly, students throughout the music department shared that beyond performances and rehearsals, this music program allowed students to build friendships, collaborate with peers and grow personally.
“This is my first year in Senior High Band, and I’ve already experienced how difficult it is to get such a big group of kids on the same level. Nevertheless, being in band has been blessed with many things, including many lovable friends, opportunities to excel at something I enjoy, a little friendly competition, and a class to have fun in,” freshman Hannah Jung stated.
Behind every performance were months of rehearsals and coordination. Students worked to balance academics with practice schedules while teachers and staff organized ensembles and prepared musicians.
“One challenge I faced while preparing for this concert was learning and perfecting all of the music. Some of the pieces were difficult and required a lot of practice to play correctly. However, through this challenge, I learned the value of patience, perseverance, and consistent effort,” sophomore Annhad Kaur said.
As the final concert came to a close, the event marked both an ending and a celebration. For graduating seniors, it served as one last opportunity to perform alongside classmates and honor the memories they created through years of rehearsals and performances. At the same time, the concert highlighted the continued growth of New Hyde Park Memorial’s music program, ensuring that the traditions and friendships built through music will continue for future generations of students.
