Maria Regina High School’s First-Ever Marching Band Will Participate in 70th Anniversary Kensico Little League Opening Day Parade, April 23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: FRANK PAGANI, 914-843-5079, [email protected]

HARTSDALE, NEW YORK (APRIL 7, 2022) Ever since Maria Regina High School’s first-ever marching band made history as the only all-girls ensemble to participate in the 2022 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the talented ensemble is in growing demand to perform at other public events.

?On Saturday, April 23, they will march in the Kensico Little League’s Opening Day Parade and Ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Valhalla-based group committed to teaching children and teens the skills and sportsmanship necessary to play baseball and become strong members of the community. The event is scheduled to get underway at 1:30 PM, weather permitting.

But, that’s not all. The renowned Catholic high school in Hartsdale also received requests for the band to appear in Memorial Day parades in White Plains and Ardsley, among others.?Anna Parra, President, noted that the band’s appearance in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, “generated a lot of interest because of significant television coverage,” adding: “There was also notable buzz in the region following the group’s appearance in back-to-back St. Patrick’s Day parades in White Plains, Eastchester, Throggs Neck and Yonkers.”

?Maria Regina’s marching band made its debut last October in the 44th Annual Bronx Columbus Day Parade, the only all-girls among the 50 groups, including several other high school ensembles that marched in the popular community event.

?Outfitted with brand new special uniforms and equipped with bells, snare and bass drums, Maria Regina’s 11 young musicians are: Twin sisters Allison and Emily Ibarra of Mt. Vernon (both play bells); sisters Clevisa Bujaj (bells) and Jessica Bujaj (bass drum) of the Bronx; Shaiyanne Noisette (snare drum) of Mt. Vernon; Angelina Costa (bells) of Yonkers; Kelly Cambillo (snare drum) of White Plains; Nathalie Bello (bass drum) of Elmsford and Gianna Buccieri (bells) of Port Chester; Amber Korcz of Peekskill and Mariam Ahmed of Dover Plains leading the Marching Band.

?Maria Regina’s band is part of the new marching band and a string and rhythm orchestra program that the leading all-girls Catholic high school launched in 2020. In addition to parades, the band participates in pep rallies, school concerts, and open houses, performing patriotic favorites, marches, and the school song.

?The string and rhythm orchestra is designed to introduce students to an array of instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, guitars, bass, keyboards, and percussion that the school has purchased. Its repertoire will encompass holiday songs, hit songs from Motown, rock-n-roll, and pop, as well as standards.?

?Musical experience and the ability to read music are not required to participate in either the band or string and rhythm orchestra. Both are under the direction of?Steven Finkelstein, a professional percussionist who previously served as the marching band and orchestra director and music instructor at Aquinas High School in the Bronx, specializing in working with young musicians who have little or no experience.??

?Maria Regina High School: Mission and Philosophy

Maria Regina High School is a Catholic, independent school dedicated to educating young women. Its key objective is to develop within each of them a true sense of Christian values using a holistic approach that fosters the integration of each person as an individual within a global community.??

Academic excellence is sought within a Catholic environment which reinforces the dignity and respect of everyone, while fostering the call to discipleship of all. The entire school program, whether it be curricular or extracurricular activities, challenges our students to develop their intellectual potential and their physical and social skills.??

It is only with an integrated effort on the part of the entire staff, as well as our students and their parents, that the philosophy of Maria Regina can be brought to fruition.?For more information, visit www.mariaregina.org.