Lynbrook Tri-M Inducts New Members

The Lynbrook High School Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honors Society has new members - 20, to be exact. The students, representing all grade levels at the high school, were inducted during a music-filled ceremony on Thursday night in the auditorium.  

“The Tri-M Music Honors Society is an international honors society which recognizes secondary music students for ability, academic excellence, school involvement, and community service,” said Joseph Pallotta, Lynbrook High School Director of Fine and Performing Arts.

Being inducted is clearly no small feat. To be considered eligible for membership, a student must have received a level 4,5,6, or All-State NYSSMA score last spring and be a current member of the band, orchestra, or chorus. Members must also obtain seven service credits, three performance credits, and perform once a year at a society meeting, according to Chapter Advisor Alyssa Panitch.

Service credits completed this year included ushering at district concerts, assisting in the high school blood drive, mentoring at a local temple, teaching golf to children at Eisenhower Park, and selling t-shirts for the Lynbrook Music and Arts Festival.

Performance credits included playing in the pit orchestra for the high school musical, performing in West Side Story at St. Raymond’s Church, playing guitar at Mercy Hospital, and conducting the St. Raymond’s Church Youth Chorus.

Inductees must also maintain an overall academic average of 85 or higher and at least a 90 average for all music based classes.          

Those in attendance at Thursday night’s ceremony were treated to a performance by the Tri-M orchestra, the Tri-M Chorus, and “The House Band,” a jazz group featuring Tri-M members.

After the new members were inducted, Panitch read a statement from the Tri-M National Leadership congratulating the students on their achievement.  

“We should study the past to effectively prepare for our future,” the statement read. “With that thought in mind, you are now in the unique position to pass on the torch of your musical knowledge to colleagues and future beneficiaries of musical art. May you represent Tri-M with pride and dignity and continue to demonstrate the value of music in your life.”

Students weren’t the only ones inducted into the society on this night. High School Assistant Principal Angelo Mancuso was presented with an honorary lifetime membership.

“He’s truly one of the nicest and most helpful people that we have running this school,” Panitch said. “It really makes such a difference to have a person like him there. He is always supportive of the music department, no matter what it is.”

The membership carries even more meaning this year. As was revealed at the Feb. 8 Board of Education meeting, the 43-year Lynbrook High School employee intends to retire at the end of the school year.