Schools
HHS Symphonic Band's Spring Concert
Under director John Koryat's leadership, students give their best
When the members of the Holmdel High School Symphonic Band gather Thursday night (May 26) for their annual concert, they will be putting aside all the concerns in their busy lives.
In this group, that would include their other interests, like theater, track, martial arts, Future Business Leaders of America, ecology club, Chinese cultural club, Japanese cultural club, field hockey, and bell choir. They've got other things to think about too, like college applications, SATs, and prom.
But yet these students attend daily band rehearsal and solo lessons. Why? Why do they make the time for an additional challenge? And what is the hardest part of being involved in such a demanding activity?
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The resounding answer was passion for music and their musical director's expectation that each strive for improvement. During a recent rehearsal the students were uninhibited in their admiration for John Koryat's passion for his work, and freely admitted it inspires them.
As clarinetist Richard Chang said, “Mr. Koryat shares his dedication with his students. Music is not to be studied lightly. There is a commitment that he expects. He shares his zealousness. He gives it all.”
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Joe Ponisi, a percussionist, added: “Intensity promotes intensity. People want to join our band because of our success and because we are a family.”
And William Lee added, "Mr. Koryat is tough on us, keeps us focused and band is so entertaining. Mr. Koryat is strict and fun, at the same time.”
For many, the hardest part of being in Holmdel’s music program was the self-imposed expectation of meeting Koryat’s challenges, and the best part was working with each other, and an inspiring leader.
Koryat remarked that the intensity observed in the students as they prepared for their spring concert was the usual intensity level for those kids. It was “business as usual” because they were often preparing for one event or another: a competition, a showcase, or an annual concert.
For some, this upcoming concert will be the final annual concert as high school students. When asked as a whole, what they would do as a final preparation on Thursday? Tiffany Huang called out “Eat our Wheaties!”
