Theresa O'Connor Honored, Vocal Groups Amaze at Spring Concert

The Central Islip High School Vocal Spring Concert was highlighted by a special recognition of Ms. Theresa O'Connor, a high school choral teacher who will retire at the end of the school year after 34 years of dedication and service to the Central Islip music department.

Mr. Philip K. Voigt, Director of Music Education and Technology, was joined by dozens of music faculty members as he praised Ms. O'Connor's dedication, musical expertise, and work ethic. He then congratulated her on her upcoming retirement and presented her with a plaque honoring her years of instruction and commitment to students.

The evening began with Mr. John Anthony's Baritone Choir, which performed ¡Cantar!, Bound for the Rio Grande, and Mollie Beth.

Mr. Anthony's Show Choir, choreographed by Jeanine Ecklund, took the stage immediately afterward and delivered three show-stopping numbers: Run, How Can I Keep from Singing?, and Anything Goes!

An instrumental solo by Oscar Bonilla, performing Concert for Trumpet and Piano, followed, with accompaniment by Dr. Melissa Hait.

Ms. O'Connor then entered the auditorium with her Treble Choir students and led them through Easy on Me, The Auctioneer — featuring solos by Victoria Sciallo and Veronica Idrovo — Crazy, and He Never Failed Me Yet, which featured solos by Gabriella Castro and Vionikah Novembre. Tiffany Torres and Bryan Urrutia also joined the ensemble on bass guitar and drums, respectively.

The highly acclaimed Concert Choir filled the risers and subsequently performed Rain and the River, Para la Guerra Nada, and World O' World.

Nestor Diaz then delivered a solo piano performance of Clair de Lune before the Sweet Adelines took the stage to a booming round of applause for Ms. O'Connor's final concert.

The students performed One Fine Day, It's Ray, Ray Raining, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Mr. Sandman, and Gonna Live, the latter arranged by former Central Islip music teacher Mr. George McKenzie.

Photo gallery here