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Originally delivered on 3/14/2022 4:54 pm

SUBJECT: Music Monday 3.14.22

March 14, 2022
Message from the Reps

The Music Studio is gearing up for all the Spring performances. First up is Opera Workshop and Pit Orchestra production of Pirates of Penzance, which will have 4 shows from April 1-3. Stay tuned for the ticket distribution policy. Audience capacity has been expanded, and tickets remain free for LaG students and families.

We'll be selling merch outside the Concert Hall during all operetta performances! All items are also available to view and purchase online.

Click here for detailed minutes from February's Music Studio meeting.

If you are interested in taking more of a role in the Music Studio, please get in touch with any of the Reps (our e-mail addresses are at the end of every newsletter), or send an email to the musicstudioinfo@gmail.com account, and we will get in touch with you. Elections will be held in June. 

A date for our next general meeting hasn't been set yet, but please note that that future MS meetings may be hybrid. We will definitely encourage in-person attendance as soon as allowed, so we all get to know each other better than we can via Zoom!


Don't Forget!


Upcoming Spring Shows:

April 1-3 - Operetta: Pirates of Penzance 

April 13 - Concerto Concert 

April 28 - Senior Symphonic Band Concert 

April 29 -  Senior Jazz Band Concert

May 4 -  Musicale #1

May 6 - Musicale #2 

May 10 - Show Choir Concert

May 13 - Spring Gospel Choir Concert 

May 17 - Percussion Ensemble/New Music Ensemble Spring Showcase 

June 10-11 - Spring Semi-Annual Concert: Senior Chorus and Senior Orchestra


Community Updates

March 16 - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences

March 18 - Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences; half day for students

March 28 - Conference Bell Schedule




Teacher Spotlight

This week's spotlight is on Rocco Carbone, instrumental teacher in the Music Studio. Mr. Carbone was born in California and then lived in upstate NY for his formative years. He went to college to pursue music which landed him in NYC and he's lived here ever since. Rocco attended Ithaca College and Manhattan School of Music. He enjoys learning and still takes lessons from time to time. Mr. Carbone has been teaching at LaG for 2 years, and within the DOE for 16 years. His main instrument is the saxophone but plays most of the woodwinds with enough proficiency to be considered a doubler.  Mr. Carbone teaches a wide variety of courses at LaG including Sight Singing/Theory I, Winds 01 - Bassoon, Oboe, Saxophone, Junior Jazz, Music History and Jazz Improvisation. 

Rocco became a teacher because he had a teacher who inspired him. Mr. Carbone said of the teacher, "he just seemed like the happiest person I knew. I wanted that and the ability to teach music with such joy." Special interests of Rocco's include Jazz, Music History, Conducting, Music Technology and Engraving. Outside of LaGuardia, he spends a lot of time working in other music education roles such as: SAFNY at 318, is a mentor with the Paul Simon Music Fellows, All City Music Program, and sometimes serving as a music clinician/adjudicator. Mr. Carbone is impressed by his students love of music and commitment to the craft of music.  


Music Studio Merch
Show Your Music Studio Pride

Our online store is the fastest way for us to get LaG swag to you. Check out recently restocked items, and keep an eye out for new merch coming soon. Order your items from our Music Studio Store for pick up in the main school lobby next Friday March 25, from 3-4:30 pm. Due to the half day on March 18 there will be no merchandise pick up.

If you have questions or comments, or there is a problem with the store or your order, please email lagmusicstudiostore@gmail.com 

Music Studio Fame Hoodie

Hoodie weather has arrived! Finally you can stop nagging your teen to wear a jacket and let them leave the house rockin' their classic LaG Fame zip front hoodie. Available in sizes small, large, and xl. $50

Music Studio Fame Hoodie

Music Studio Red Hoodie

For those that prefer the pullover style, we have the bold font hoodie in 3 colors (black and white options available). Super soft inside. Available in sizes small- xl $40

Music Studio Red Hoodie

Blurb from Ben

Free ticket opportunity - Sunday, March 20, 2:00pm - Guitar Legends - Milos at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Ave and Broadway)
Click here for the details in AP Ben Schott's message (via PupilPath)

If you missed Ben latest letter, its linked below.

Music Letter to the Community #7

Also, Principal Vasconcelos sent out an "After the mandate" letter, which you can find here (via PupilPath). It included updates on ticketing policy and other important information concerning the Music Studio.

Show your Appreciation

So now that Spring has nearly sprung, we have lots of Music Studio performances on tap!  See the Don't Forget section for a full list. 

April's opera, The Pirates of Penzance, like all Music Studio performances this year, remains free to watch but comes with significant costs. We will be paying for costumes, props, the live-stream and more. Please show your thanks for all the hard work these students put in and help replenish our coffers with your donation to the Music Studio.

We are also likely to pay for additional in-school master classes, some Show Choir expenses, and other items this spring. 

As noted at our last meeting, we are well behind last year's donation numbers. If you are able, the Music Studio would greatly appreciate your donation. LaGuardia PA Music Studio is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax-deductible. 

You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring monthly donation--whichever works better for you - to the Music Studio (and the PA) through PayPal. To do so, click the Direct Donation link below or follow these instructions:

Log into your MTK account, click on Ways to Give under the Donate & Volunteer drop-down menu, then on the underlined red link Donate to a specific studio (2 places on the page allow you to do that). The PayPal page that appears is auto-filled to make a donation to the General PA, but you can designate the Music Studio by clicking on the drop-down menu. Below that box is the option to make your donation a monthly-recurring one. Or, by leaving that box unchecked, the donation will be a one-time donation. 

You can select any amount you like to donate; all contributions gratefully received! 

Direct Donation


Help Keep LaGuardia Great!

As the new year begins, new opportunities for volunteers arise. Become a volunteer today to support our students and staff all year long, not just at performances. Please make sure you have filled out your volunteer questionnaire on your Membership Toolkit profile. 

Sign up opportunities
Upcoming Events on the LaG School Calendar
Monday, March 14
NYCDOE School Survey Administration
Tuesday, March 15
6:00p SLT Meeting
6:00p SLT Mtg
6:30p Executive Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 16
11:19a Senior Showcase
Thursday, March 17
St. Patrick's Day
Friday, March 18
7:45a Fiorello Friday
Wednesday, March 23
9:00a Grade 9: Guidance Post Secondary Activity
11:00a GRADE 12: Planning for College Financial Aid Offer Review Walkthrough
Friday, March 25
7:45a Fiorello Friday
Wednesday, March 30
11:19a Senior Showcase
Thursday, March 31
5:30p BSU Fashion Show
Friday, April 1
7:45a Fiorello Friday
Tuesday, April 5
6:00p Studio Meeting
7:00p General PA Meeting
Music Studio Board Members

General contact: MusicStudioInfo@laguardiahspa.org

Instrumental Co-reps: 

Anne Gregorio annerachel621@gmail.com

Nan Hawley hawley.nan@gmail.com

Vocal co-reps: 

Michael Capasso mcapassolaguardia@gmail.com

Marcee Smith  marceesmith@aol.com

Corresponding Secretaries: Rebecca Rent and Rebecca Sherman

Recording Secretary: Joy Bassini

Treasurer: Barbette Leonard

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