The Great Neck Public Schools (GNPS) Show Band will perform at David Geffen Hall (formerly Avery Fisher Hall) at the Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF) of New York 15th Annual Gala Event on Wednesday, Nov 16. The group was invited to perform by Robert Kahen, IAJF president and North High School parent.
GNPS Show Band members are Patrick Kennedy, a former North High student teacher who will play drums; Dr. Janine Robinson, North High vocal music teacher who will play piano; North High instrumental music teacher Joseph Rutkowski on accordion and clarinet; Lakeville and North Middle instrumental music teacher Jacquelyn Tomlet, who will play alto saxophone; and Matthew Trinkwald, North Middle music department head/instrumental music teacher on bass guitar.
They will perform a Fiddler on the Roof medley of “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “To Life!”
“I will be in one balcony with my clarinet and play the opening melody of ‘Tradition,’” explained Rutkowski of the planned dramatic presentation. “Ms. Tomlet, on saxophone, will begin the counter melody in the opposite balcony. After a few measures, Mr. Trinkwald, Dr. Robinson and Mr. Kennedy, all on stage, will join in. The second song, ‘Matchmaker,’ will be played by the on-stage performers, allowing time for me and Ms. Tomlet to join them for ‘Sunrise, Sunset.’ The finale will be a rousing rendition of ‘To Life!’”
Rutkowski thanked Kahen for inviting the GNPS Show Band to perform at this “enormously prestigious event.” He also thanked the school administration and the Board of Education for their support of the group, as they appear “as artists, representing the Great Neck Public Schools.”
