Robert Pietrzak Robert Pietrzak - Outstanding Achievement In Band Congratulations to the three Stratford Avenue School students who received music awards sponsored by the Friends of Music. Robert Pietrzak received the Outstanding Achievement in Band award, Alina Ranjbaran received the Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra award and Kimberly Combatti received the Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music award.

Robert Pietrzak is a member of the Stratford Band and Jazz Band under the direction of Mrs. Glickman. He has been playing the trumpet for the past two years and participated in NYSSMA, receiving an “Outstanding” rating on a level 3 piece. He also has been playing the piano for five years and participated in NYSSMA this year, receiving an “A” for a level 5 piece. He performed trumpet and piano solos at The Friends of Music Showcase in March. Recently, Robert won awards for his original piano and trumpet pieces, which he entered in the National PTA Reflections Contest.

Alina Ranjbaran Alina Ranjbaran - Outstanding Achievement In Orchestra In fourth and fifth grades, Mrs. Werring gave Robert the opportunity to accompany the Stratford Chorus on the piano. He also played the Pirate King in the fifth-grade play, “The Pirates of Penzance,” and now Robert loves acting, too.

Kimberly Combatti Kimberly Combatti - Outstanding Achievement In Vocal Music Robert loves playing the trumpet and the piano and is looking forward to playing in the Garden City Middle School band next year.

Alina Ranjbaran started playing the violin at age three. Not long after, she also started playing the piano. Alina attends the Queensborough Suzuki Music Program, where her musical education includes music theory and ear training. She is a violinist with a youth orchestra in Queens. In 2005, Alina performed with the All-County Orchestra. She has been active in the Stratford Avenue School music program, where she was Ruth in “The Pirates of Penzance.” Alina has also performed solos with the school orchestra and chorus. Every year, Alina performs a recital in the Suzuki Program. She is currently working on Viotti’s “Violin Concerto Number twenty-three.”

Music is a big part of Kimberly’s life. She has played the piano for the past four years and the clarinet for the past two years. Although she enjoys both instruments, Kimberly favors the piano more and has decided to give it more concentration. Kimberly thinks her music teachers are great and thanks them for all their patience with her while she worked on difficult pieces. She loves listening to music and singing along with the radio. Kimberly is certain that music will always be an important part of her life.