Mineola High School Wind Ensemble Performs at the Kennedy Center
Photos courtesy of Mineola Public Schools.
By Williston Post Staff
Mineola High School Wind Ensemble Performs at the Kennedy Center
Mineola Public Schools proudly congratulates the Mineola High School Wind Ensemble on its recent performance at the prestigious John Philip Sousa Band Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The ensemble was one of only four groups from across the country selected for this honor, joining ensembles from California, Indiana, and Minnesota.
The audition process began last year and included submitting multiple recordings of the group performing Sousa compositions. Ultimately, 49 student musicians made the trip to the nation’s capital, where they performed four selections—including Sousa’s “The Last Days of Pompeii” and “The Thunderer.”
While in D.C., the ensemble had the opportunity to rehearse with acclaimed conductor and educator Dr. T. André Feagin and enjoyed special tours of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and FBI Headquarters.
Band director Christopher Toomey expressed pride in his students’ achievement, noting, “Whether it's sports, robotics, art, music, or academics—if you put in the hard work and dedication, the results can surpass even your highest expectations.”
The Mineola High School Wind Ensemble is an audition-based group open to students of all grade levels, created to bring together advanced musicians for top-tier performance opportunities.
