Where Does Your Money Go?

Here are just a few of the ways our children benefited last year thanks to your generous support:  

• Artist and Musician of the Month Recognition Programs
• Six Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
• NYSSMA, LISFA and SCMEA certificates for participating students
• Music & Dance Program “Dance Around the World” With the LI Philharmonic
• Funding for orchestra students to attend school-day concert at Lincoln Center
• Funding for photography class trip to NY Armory for International Photography Show
• In-school Irish music & step dancing with Johnny Cuomo
• Caricature artists for 8th grade moving-up dance
• Funding for art class trip to Metropolitan Museum of Art
• In-school Theater Program “Ms. Nelson is Missing” by Theater Works
• Grade-level art and craft projects
• Funding for MS Drama Club and Spring Musical
• Funding for art class trip to the Cloisters
• Residence Day for the Bryant Park String Quartet at Mount Sinai
• Financial Support for the HS Musical Spamalot

Donation Spotlight

These are the quotes from some of the students who attended the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) field trip in NYC on 4/16.

This is the 2nd year we've funded it - looks like it was a hit & they'd like to go again next year!  With your continued support, they can!

Kaylynn Juhas – 11^th grade

“I enjoyed the trip.  I loved to see the different photographers pieces.”

Brittany Burkhard- 12^th grade

“I enjoyed everybody’s photography.  The different themes of the photos were very interesting.  I relay liked Stephen Shores pictures.  The idea of taking old pictures and altering it to make them look like professional photos.”

Ashley Perez – 11^th grade

“The art show gave me a lot of inspiration and game me new ideas on what I can do next in photography.  Also it showed me the inside of successful photography.”

Jill Dunne – 12^th grade

“I enjoyed the trip and the “moving pictures”.  One photographer had holograms which were cool.”

Corinne Cianciullli – 11^th grade

“It was really interesting to see how many kinds of photography there ar.  Some people even used other mediums with photography to make it much more interesting.  Definitely inspiring.”

Devin Zacchino – 12^th grade

“I loved the AIPAD.  I got a lot of ideas and saw techniques I never saw before…then on the opposite end of the spectrum there were some pictures that I didn’t understand how they were photography priced at $5,000 and more.”

Donation Spotlight

Association of International Photography Art Dealers Photography Show Field Trip

Once again this April, the FOA is splitting the cost for the high school photography students to attend the AIPAD Photography Show in the Park Avenue Armory.  The show celebrates its 35th year of bringing together more than eighty of the worlds leading photography art galleries. Below are some testimonials from last year's event.

Devin Zachinno 12th grade:

“I love the whole experience.  It was very relaxed, you weren’t in a rush for time, you went at your own pace.  The museum was set up very interestingly – a lot of awesome art.  Learned a lot of new things about photography.  Would definitely go again.”

Corrinne Cianciulli – 11th grade

“The trip was really fun and we got to see a range of photography, the place had a lot of variety and was really prestigious.”

Donation Spotlight

In October, the High School music students had the opportunity to participate in a character education event.  Below are two quotes.  The first is from a teacher in the Syosset school district who experienced this seminar prior to Mr. Sutherland being invited here.

“Our good friend Ron Sutherland (Clarence Wind Ens. Retired, NYSSMA Past President and All State Head Chaperone, Guest Conductor, etc….) led a Leadership Workshop for our music students that was absolutely fabulous. I watched Ron as he captivated their attention for 90 minutes. He spoke to them about getting out of their “Comfort Zones” and making the types of decisions that exemplify good leadership. He uses many music and sports analogies and tells some wonderful and personal stories that challenged students to examine the types of decisions they make every day.” -- Michael Salzman Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts, K-12 Syosset Central School District

The second quote is a testimonial from one of the students who participated...

"Thank you Mt. Sinai Friends of the Arts for giving me and the rest of the music students the opportunity to be influenced and moved by Mr. Ron Sutherland. He was an inspiration to me and taught me what a real leader really is. Students enjoyed talking to him one on one and the things he said were valuable to not just music, but also to everyday life. He gave us tips like always try harder than your hardest, because only then will you succeed". -- anonymous

Donation Highlights

Elementary School	·      Long Island Philharmonic: Broadway beat ·      "Bash the Trash" percussion concert ·      Teacher from the Black Lagoon musical ·      Artist and musician of the month awards
Middle School	·      Orchestra trip to Avery Fisher Hall ·      Financial support for the MS drama club ·      Caricature artists for 8th grade moving up ceremony ·      Artist and musician of the month awards ·      Certificates for NYSSMA and LIFSA participants
High School	·      Scholarships to graduating seniors ·      Financial support for the HS musical  -           Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ·      Art class trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art ·      Photography class trip to the New York Armory ·      Chorus program with Potsdam Pointercounts ·      Albany high school chorus program   And Much More! On behalf of our students -- Thank You!

Where do your donations go?

From time to time , we will spotlight some of the programs and acquisitions that your generations donations make possible.  For example, on behalf of all who have made contributions in the last year, the Friends of the Arts has purchased four Electronic Boards for the Elementary School Art and Music Department.  Use of the boards in the classrooms will help the teachers to better convey important learning points, share work with the class and leverage the web to enhance the art and music lessons.