Middle School Musicians Win Awards

Vincent Dioguardi

Five Middle School students received music awards sponsored by the Garden City Friends of Music in June. Vincent Dioguardi received the Outstanding Achievement in Band Award. Nolan Wilder was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award in Vocal Music. The Outstanding Achievement Award for Orchestra was presented to Matthew Baldessari . This year two awards were given to electronic Music students Tara Stephens and Kimberly Foxen.

Vincent Dioguardi:

Outstanding Achievement

in Band

Vincent Dioguardi began playing the Trombone in the second grade. He had previously been playing the piano. After moving to Garden City in fifth grade, he focused all his attention on playing the Trombone, gaining in confidence and ability. Vincent has participated in NYSSMA, and was selected to perform in All-County for Trombone. He recently auditioned for the Nassau/Suffolk Band and will be playing in the Wind Symphony as a ninth-grader at the Garden City High School.

Matthew Baldessari

Nolan Wilder:

Outstanding Achievement

in Vocal Music

Throughout Nolan's years at Garden City Middle School he has attended Chorus and Festival Chorus, which were his favorite classes. Nolan has participated in NYSSMA with the support and encouragement of his Middle School Chorus teacher, Mrs. Kleeman. He has performed in all three plays: "Annie," "The King and I," and "Oklahoma." Nolan has also begun to learn the guitar with the help of Mrs. Kleeman while at the Middle School. He enjoys playing piano, and has been practicing for over five years. Nolan plans to continue his musical endeavors in the high school and beyond.

Nolan Wilder

Matthew Baldessari:

Outstanding Achievement

in Orchestra

Matthew began taking private violin lessons when he was seven years old under the direction of Mr. Eric Marten. He has performed in the Garden City School Orchestra since he was in the third grade. Matthew has consistently achieved high NYSSMA scores and has also been selected to All County and the Long Island String Festivals since fifth grade. He also donates his time to perform with his church's orchestra and plays guitar with the youth group's Praise Band. Matthew is a member of the Long Island Fiddlemonic, which is a fiddle band.

Kimberly Foxen:

Outstanding Achievement

in Electronic Music

Music has always been a major part of Kim's life from piano lessons, voice training and most recently guitar. She has performed in many varied musical events. Kim has been a member of the St. Joseph's Girls Choir directed by Marie Cozzi, singing at masses and festivals. While at the middle school she has performed in the musical productions of "Annie" and "The King and I." Kimberly was also a vocalist for both the Andy Fund and middle school talent shows. She has spent her summers studying music while attending "Bach to Rock," a camp program, which culminated in a concert at Mulcahy's in Wantagh. Kimberly was a member of the Festival Chorus directed by Mrs. Kleeman, and has studied electronic music under the direction of Mr. Russo while at the middle school. She attended her first NYSSMA festival this past spring and is looking forward to furthering her musical education at the high school.

Kimberly Foxen