Fine and Performing Arts
It starts with a steady beat.
Music, art, and theatre for every Westbury scholar from kindergarten through senior year — on stage, in the studio, and at county and state festivals.
Coming up
All 2026–27 datesEvery rehearsal and concert, division by division- All-CountyOct 13Selections announced
- All-CountyOct 21–22Music distributed to scholars
- All-CountyOct 28–29Music returned
- All-CountyNov 14P.E.A.K. Festival
What all these names meanNYSSMA, LISFA, All-County, adjudication — 11 terms families hear before anyone explains them.
- NYSSMA
- New York State School Music Association. Your child prepares a piece, plus scales and sight-reading, and performs it for a trained judge who returns a written evaluation and a score. Westbury scholars can take part as early as fourth grade.
- Adjudication
- The performance itself — roughly ten minutes for Levels 1 to 4, fifteen for Levels 5 and 6. Parents may sit in, except during the sight-reading portion. No recording is allowed in the room.
- Level
- How hard the piece is, from Level 1 to Level 6. Levels 1 to 4 are scored out of 28; Levels 5 and 6 out of 100. The level is a property of the music, not a grade on your child.
- S/E/AS
- Shorthand on festival paperwork for Solo, Ensemble, and All-State adjudications. If you see it on a form, it just means that site hears all three.
- All-State
- The state-level honor ensembles. A scholar must perform a Level 6 solo, be a member of their school ensemble, and be nominated. Tenth and eleventh graders only. Selection is very competitive — a perfect score does not guarantee a place.
- All-County
- Nassau County's honor ensembles. Selected scholars rehearse for several days with a guest conductor alongside musicians from across the county, then perform in concert. Nomination comes from your child's music teacher.
- Division
- How All-County groups scholars by age and voice or instrument — Division 1 through Division 5, some split East and West or Vocal and Instrumental. Your child's teacher will tell you which division they are in; each has its own rehearsal and concert dates.
- LISFA
- Long Island String Festival Association. Founded in 1956, for orchestral strings only. Nassau and Suffolk each hold an Intermediate festival and a Secondary festival. Selection is by teacher recommendation and NYSSMA scores.
- Intermediate / Secondary
- LISFA's two age bands. Intermediate covers the younger grades; Secondary covers high school. They are separate festivals on separate weekends with separate host districts — check which one your child was selected for.
- Tilles Center
- The concert hall at LIU Post where All-County concerts are held. Not a Westbury building — plan travel and parking.
- IB Music
- Music taken as part of the International Baccalaureate programme at Westbury High School, combining performance, composition, and written analysis.
Also on this page: What your child can join Art and music faculty Musicals and the Art Show Reach us
Music, kindergarten through twelfth grade
Music in Westbury begins in kindergarten, where scholars discover rhythm, melody, movement, and song. What starts as finding a steady beat grows into reading notation, playing an instrument, and performing with confidence.
K–2General Music beginsPart of the school day for every scholar.
Scholars find a steady beat, move to music, and sing together. General Music runs through fifth grade for everyone — there is nothing to sign up for and nothing to rent.
3The recorderWhere written notes become music.
Third grade is the first instrument. Scholars build breath control, coordination, and fingering, and begin to sight-read — the same skill they will use at a NYSSMA adjudication years later.
4Band, Orchestra, and Chorus open upThe year most families start renting.
Scholars may begin Band or Orchestra and join Chorus. Fourth grade is also the earliest a scholar can take part in a NYSSMA adjudication.
Talk to the music teacher before you rent — they will tell you which instrument and which size. Rental links by school.
5Reading independentlyThe first year for honors ensembles.
Young musicians read more on their own and deepen their understanding of rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and expression.
From fifth grade on, eligible scholars may be recommended or selected for All-County ensembles and the LISFA String Festival.
6–8Ensembles become coursesScheduled and graded, during the school day.
At Westbury Middle School, Band, Orchestra, and Chorus are scheduled, graded courses. Sixth graders who do not join an ensemble continue in General Music.
Every ensemble performs at winter and spring concerts. This is also where scholars can audition for the middle school musical.
9–12More ways to playJazz, marching, technology, IB, and the musical.
At Westbury High School, musicians continue in Band, Orchestra, and Chorus, and can add Jazz Band, Marching Band, Music Technology, IB Music, and musical theatre.
NYSSMA, All-County, LISFA, and All-State opportunities are all open. Marching Band also performs at Green Dragons home games.
What your child can join
Some of this happens automatically as part of the school day. The rest your child has to ask for. This is the whole list, and what it takes to get in.
| Ensemble or course | Grades | Where | How your child joins |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Music | K–5, and grade 6 without an ensemble | Every elementary school, and Westbury Middle School | Nothing to do. It is part of the school day for every scholar. |
| Recorder | 3 | Every elementary school | Nothing to do. It runs inside General Music. |
| Band and Orchestra | 4–12 | All three schools | Ask the music teacher. An instrument rental is usually needed. String players are the ones considered for LISFA. |
| Chorus | 4–12 | All three schools | Ask the music teacher. No instrument and no rental needed. |
| Jazz Band and Marching Band | 9–12 | Westbury High School | Ask the music teacher. Marching Band performs at Green Dragons home games. |
| Music Technology, IB Music, musical theatre | 9–12 | Westbury High School | Choose them during course selection. |
| The school musical | Elementary, middle, and high school | Powells Lane, Park Avenue, Drexel Avenue, Westbury Middle School, Westbury High School | Audition in the fall. Scholars who would rather not perform can join the crew. |
Coming to a performance
School concerts and musicals are held in the school auditoriums. All-County concerts are at the Tilles Center at LIU Post, and LISFA concerts are at whichever district hosts that festival, so both mean travel.
Winter concerts run across five buildings in December, the musicals from February to May, and spring concerts in May. Every date is on this page.
On stage and on the walls
Concerts in December and May, five school musicals between February and May, and the whole district's visual art together for one night. All of it is open to families and to the community.
Dryden Street
The very first one
Pre-K and kindergarten, in pyjamas, in the gym, in front of a room full of families. No auditions — every child is in it.Friday, December 18
Powells Lane Elementary
The first stage
For many scholars this is the first time they perform for an audience that isn't their own class.Musical Wed 10 February, 6:00 p.m.
Park Avenue Elementary
The first concert you play in
Band and Orchestra start in fourth grade, and a few months later scholars are on stage in front of their families.Concerts Dec 9 and May 11; musical Mar 23
Drexel Avenue Elementary
The last show of the year
A painted set, a full costumed cast, and a curtain call in front of a packed house, after every other stage has gone quiet.Musical Tue 25 May, 6:00 p.m.
Westbury Middle School
Two nights, every time
Band, Orchestra and Chorus are courses here, not clubs, and there are too many scholars for one evening.Concerts Dec 7, Dec 10, May 10, May 18; musical Mar 19–20
Westbury High School
Too big for one sitting
The Spring Concert runs in two parts on the same night — and the Art Show is in the gym that same evening, so you can do both.Concert Dec 17; spring concert May 19 at 6:00 and 7:15; musical Apr 9–10
Districtwide
The District Art Show
Work from all six schools in one room, kindergarten drawings alongside high school portfolios. One night only.Wed 19 May, 5:00–8:30 p.m., WHS gym
Swipe to see all seven.
Every date this year
Westbury performances first, then the county and state festivals. Always confirm with your child's music teacher before booking anything.
Westbury concerts and shows
Every performance below happens in a Westbury building. Times come from the district activities calendar.
Winter, December 20268 dates
- Monday, December 7Westbury Middle School Winter Concert #1. 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 8Powells Lane Winter Concert. 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 9Park Avenue Winter Concert. 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 10Westbury Middle School Winter Concert #2. 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 15Districtwide Fine and Performing Arts Holiday Reception. 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Westbury High School.
- Wednesday, December 16Drexel Avenue Winter Concert. 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 17Westbury High School Winter Concert. 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, December 18Pre-K Holiday Show at Dryden Street.
The musicals, February to May 20275 dates
- Wednesday, February 10Powells Lane Musical. 6:00 p.m.
- March 19 and 20Westbury Middle School Musical Production. Both nights 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 23Park Avenue Musical. 6:00 p.m.
- April 9 and 10Westbury High School Musical Production. Both nights 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 25Drexel Avenue Musical. 6:00 p.m.
Spring, May 20276 dates
- Monday, May 10Westbury Middle School Spring Concert #1. 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 11Park Avenue Spring Concert. 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 12Drexel Avenue Spring Concert. 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 13Powells Lane Spring Concert. 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 18Westbury Middle School Spring Concert #2. 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 19Westbury High School Spring Concert. Part 1 at 6:00 p.m., Part 2 at 7:15 p.m.
Visual art3 dates
- Thursday, March 18Westbury Middle School Mini Art Showcase.
- Wednesday, May 19Districtwide Art Show. 5:00–8:30 p.m. in the Westbury High School gym. Work from all six schools.
- Saturday, May 22Districtwide STEAM Fest. 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Westbury Middle School.
Moving up, and choosing an instrument3 dates
- Tuesday, January 26Fifth Grade Music Orientation. 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Westbury Middle School auditorium. What music looks like in sixth grade.
- Tuesday, February 9Eighth Grade Music Orientation. 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Westbury High School auditorium.
- Tuesday, June 8Music Instrument Night. 6:00–7:00 p.m., Westbury High School Little Theater. Go before you rent.
Marching Band1 date
- October 20–22, 2026Newsday Marching Band Festival.
County and state festivals
Set by the county and state associations, not by the district.
All-County
Run by the Nassau Music Educators Association. All concerts are at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post.
Selections and music5 dates
- Monday, June 8, 2026Jazz auditions
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026Selections announced
- October 21–22, 2026Music distributed to scholars
- October 28–29, 2026Music returned
- Saturday, November 14, 2026P.E.A.K. Festival
Rehearsals and concerts by divisionJanuary 2027
| Division | Rehearsals | Concert |
|---|---|---|
| Division 1 West | January 6 and 7, 4:00–7:30 p.m.; January 9, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Sunday, January 10, 11:00 a.m. |
| Division 1 East | January 6, 7, and 8, 4:00–7:30 p.m. | Sunday, January 10, 4:00 p.m. |
| Division 2 | January 13 and 15, 4:00–8:00 p.m. with Jazz Band; January 16, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Sunday, January 17, 11:00 a.m. |
| Division 3 | January 12 and 14, 4:00–8:00 p.m. with Jazz Band; January 16, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Sunday, January 17, 4:00 p.m. |
| Division 4 | January 11, 13, and 14, 4:00–8:00 p.m. with Jazz Band | Friday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. |
| Division 5 Vocal | January 11, 13, and 15, 4:00–8:00 p.m. with Vocal Jazz | Saturday, January 16, 2:30 p.m. |
| Division 5 Instrumental | January 12, 14, and 15, 4:00–8:00 p.m. with Instrumental Jazz | Saturday, January 16, 7:30 p.m. |
LISFA string festivals
New for 2026–27: LISFA has moved to a two-day model. Every concert is Saturday afternoon, and Sunday is held in reserve for bad weather.
Festival weekends3 dates
- February 5–6, 2027Nassau Secondary Festival. Rehearsals Friday, February 5, 4:00–8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 6, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Concert Saturday, February 6 at 2:30 p.m. Hosted by Levittown School District.
- February 26–27, 2027Nassau Intermediate Festival. Rehearsals Friday, February 26, 4:00–8:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 27, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Concerts Saturday, February 27: grade 6 at 2:00 p.m., grades 5, 7, and 8 at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by Uniondale School District.
- April 10–11, 2027Chamber Festival.
NYSSMA registration forms
Every form is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. Complete the one that matches the site your child's teacher recommended, and return it to that teacher — not to this office.
Westbury High SchoolMay 7–8, 2027
Solo and Ensemble, Levels 1–6
Nassau Community CollegeMarch 5–6, 2027
SyossetMay 21–22, 2027
Instrument rentals
Westbury families rent through Music & Arts. Each link below opens a rental page already set up for that building. Talk to your child's music teacher first — instrument and size are their call, not the rental company's.
Go to Music Instrument Night first
Tuesday, June 8, 6:00–7:00 p.m., Westbury High School Little Theater. Scholars try instruments and talk to the teachers who will be teaching them. If your child is choosing an instrument for next year, this is the evening to come to before you sign a rental agreement.
- Drexel Avenue ElementaryRent an instrument (opens in a new window)
- Park Avenue ElementaryRent an instrument (opens in a new window)
- Powells Lane ElementaryRent an instrument (opens in a new window)
- Westbury Middle SchoolRent an instrument (opens in a new window)
- Westbury High SchoolRent an instrument (opens in a new window)
Reach us
If your question is about your own child, start with their music or art teacher. They are the ones who register scholars and make nominations.
Fine and Performing Arts Office
Nidia Keaveny
Director of Fine and Performing Arts
1 Post Road
Old Westbury, NY 11568
Festival questions
Registration, levels, repertoire, and nominations all run through your child's music teacher.
If you don't know who that is, call your child's school main office and ask for the music department.
Language assistance
Interpretation and translated documents are available for meetings and correspondence at no cost to you.
Tell us the language you need when you call.
Art and music faculty
Twenty-four teachers across six buildings. For anything about your own child — which level to play, whether to audition, what to rent — these are the people to ask first.
Dryden Street Pre-K – Kindergarten, 1
Art
- Jessica Goldberg extension not listed
Drexel Avenue Grades 1–5, 3
Park Avenue Grades 1–5, 3
Art
- Maria Jorglewich 516.874.1534
Music
- Josephine Zerone 516.874.1537
- Kristine Gagliardi 516.874.1550
Powells Lane Grades 1–5, 3
Westbury Middle School Grades 6–8, 7
Art
- Faith Bentivegna 516.874.1296
- Stephanie Khosla 516.874.1309
- Position open ext. 1296 or 1309
Music
- James Dana 516.874.1299
- Tamara Edwards-Wilson 516.874.1289
- Johnathan Fulcher WMS auditorium
- Nadine Schalk 516.874.1370
Westbury High School Grades 9–12, 10
Art
- Lou Caliguri 516.874.1119
- Natasha Korzeniewski 516.874.1119
- Michelle Perez 516.874.1126
- Beth Ponce 516.874.1124
- Josh Schimsky 516.874.1127
- Sarah Matthews 516.874.1120
Music
- Viviana Amaya 516.874.1131
- Catherine Colquhoun 516.874.1133
- Michael Costello 516.874.1121
- Michael Rubenstein 516.874.1134
Fine and Performing Arts Office 1 Post Road, Old Westbury, 2
Extensions are dialled as 516.874. followed by the four digits shown.
Resources for families
District links first, then the county and state associations that actually set the festival calendars.
Around the district
- Westbury district calendarConcerts, closings, and everything else
- Westbury AthleticsWhere Marching Band performs
- Pupil Personnel ServicesSupport and accommodations for scholars in the arts