Farmingdale Students Perform at 21st Annual Day of Horn

On February 27, 2026, eight talented Farmingdale horn players participated in the 21st annual Day of Horn. Music teachers Erica Hartmann and Dr. Katie Duke accompanied the group to Longwood High School for the day-long event, which brought together approximately 100 student and professional musicians from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Mentorship and Performance

The highlight of the 2025-2026 school year event was a masterclass and performance by guest artist Kevin Newton. A member of the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds, Kevin Newton is a professional hornist known for his work with the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Under his guidance, Farmingdale students gained technical insights and inspiration to help them refine their craft.

Farmingdale Participants

The following students represented the district at this year’s gathering:

• James Shapiro, Albany Avenue Elementary School
• 6th graders Cameron Chiu and McKayla Uzenski
• 7th graders Michael Borowski, Lucy Cutter, and Jared Martinez
• 8th graders George Guadagnino and Dominic Rolon Fischer

About the Event

Founded and organized by Alan Orloff, the Day of Horn provides a unique platform for local brass players to collaborate and perform. Our students had the opportunity to play alongside their peers and learn from industry professionals in a high-energy, educational environment.

For the past ten years, Howitt Middle School's 6th-grade health teacher, Mrs. Pietronigro, has proudly hosted the annual Anti-Tobacco Advertising Contest. This meaningful project gives our students the opportunity to bring the truth about tobacco to life by creating powerful, eye-opening advertisements to share with their peers. Truth ads play an important role in raising awareness of the harmful effects of all tobacco products and reinforcing the importance of protecting our health. The smart decisions our students make today can have a lasting impact on their future well-being.

This year, every 6th grader created an outstanding advertisement, and Mrs. Pietronigro is incredibly proud of the hard work, creativity, and effort shown by all. A special congratulations to this year’s contest winners, Gavin Arenella and Conor McDougall!

Dalers of all ages throughout the district donned purple on Friday, February 13, 2026, to show their support for P.S. I Love You Day. This day shines a light on mental health and combating bullying. By introducing mental health education to students at an early age, discussions will become more open, enabling students to identify when they or others require assistance. Every second Friday of February, communities wear purple to promote kindness, create a welcoming atmosphere, and emphasize that mental health is as crucial as physical health.

The Farmingdale School District’s annual All-District Concert drew a full house to the Farmingdale High School Auditorium, where 371 student musicians in grades 5 through 12 took the stage. This year’s performance highlighted the Chorus, featuring students from all six schools, as part of the district’s tradition of rotating among Band, Strings, and Chorus each year. Families and community members gathered to celebrate the students’ musical growth from elementary through high school.

A Year of Preparation

“Our choral staff began preparing for this concert more than a year ago,” said Director of Fine and Performing Arts Greg Warnokowski. “I am deeply grateful for their dedication, the countless hours of preparation, and the unwavering commitment they showed to our students. Because of their hard work, our students were given a truly special musical experience they will carry with them for a lifetime.”

Performance Highlights

The evening featured a sequential showcase of talent:

• Elementary All-District Chorus, directed by Deanna Cupolo and Irene Smykowski
• Howitt Middle School Chorus, directed by Danielle Tucker and Eric Hulse
• Farmingdale High School Treble Chorus, directed by Joseph Franzino
• Farmingdale High School Mixed Chorus and Combined Chorus, directed by Jessica Mischke

For the Grand Finale, all 371 singers filled the stage. Conducted by Danielle Tucker, the combined group performed "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman.

A Message on the Power of Community

As the evening concluded with a powerful grand finale, Superintendent Paul Defendini left families with a heartfelt reminder of the program’s lasting value. “I encourage you to do everything you can to keep your child involved in our music program, because it’s so much more than a class — it’s a community. Through rehearsals, performances, and shared experiences, your children form meaningful connections that help guide them through middle school, high school, and beyond with confidence and a true sense of belonging.”

Looking Ahead

The All-District Concert is a cherished tradition that brings together the entire Farmingdale School District. While this year’s performance highlighted the Chorus, next year’s 2026–2027 All-District Concert will proudly feature the Strings ensemble.

Congratulations to our talented students and the following choral directors: Abigail Coacci, Deanna Cupolo, Emilie D’Andrilli, Joseph Franzino, Stephanie Haas, Eric Hulse, MiHee Hwang, Catherine McLoughlin, Jessica Mischke, Nicole Nappi, Irene Smykowski, and Danielle Tucker.

Howitt Middle School began its Wellness Week celebrations on February 9 with "Mindful Monday". While the district-wide initiative runs through February 13, Howitt Middle School started the week by focusing on the power of breath and movement.

Mrs. Rapinat led 20-minute yoga sessions at the beginning and end of each lunch period for both staff and students. These sessions focused on light yoga and stretching, requiring no previous experience. Students participated during the second half of their lunch period, while teachers had the flexibility to attend either the first or last 20 minutes. Because these sessions were high in demand, a formal sign-up was required to ensure a calm, organized environment.

While Monday focused on mindfulness, the rest of the week at Howitt Middle School continues with these unique daily themes:

• Thankful Tuesday: Creating gratitude journals to improve mental strength and sleep.
• Workout Wednesday: Class-wide stretching to boost self-confidence and lower stress.
• Thoughtful Thursday: A "Be The Light" discussion based on "The Starfish Story."

The week’s activities set the stage for the grand finale of Wellness Week—P.S. I Love You Day.