Mamaroneck HS Musicians: Where Are They Now?

by Callie Schweitzer

(December 16, 2004) What happens to Mamaroneck High School musicians when they graduate? From their earliest years in the local schools, children are exposed to music. Later, a large number are selected for all-county ensembles and achieve even higher levels of musical proficiency. But then what? The Gazette tracked down some recent MHS graduates who had excelled in music and found that they are continuing to make an impact at college, and even in other parts of the world.

Like a number of musical graduates, Eric Nathan, MHS Class of 2002, is combining college and music. Mr. Nathan is majoring in music at Yale University, where last February the Yale Symphony Orchestra performed the premiere of his composition, “Symphonic Fantasy.” This spring a chamber orchestra and live dancers will perform his “Dance Suite”.

“MHS had a very supportive musical environment that definitely stimulated my desire to continue in music,” said Mr. Nathan, who played his trumpet in a number of MHS groups. “The jazz band was such a strong program and encouraged improvisation, self expression, and a high level of music making. Tim Hooker was very supportive in letting us grow as musicians,” he added.

Another MHS 2002 graduate, Meara Palmer-Young, is also at Yale and is with Mr. Nathan in the Yale Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she is in an assortment of ensembles, gave a solo recital last year, and has taken up a new instrument, the carillon. She explained, a carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 bells, tuned in chromatic sequence. It is played from a console that resembles a simple organ, with batons and pedals. Ms. Palmer-Young said, “I have access to the highest tower on campus, and the largest musical instrument (the largest bell weighs almost 7 tons!) and I can play whatever I want. The whole campus hears me, but no one knows it is me playing.”

Ben Hellman, MHS graduate of 2000, took a more direct musical path, attending Manhattan School of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music in violin performance last year and is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in violin performance. Along with school work, Mr. Hellman maintains a busy performance schedule. He has played with many orchestras, including the NY Chamber Symphonic, Manhattan Symphony and Chamber Symphonic. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, and, most recently at Avery Fisher Hall on December 12. Outside of NY, he’s performed in Las Vegas, and Santa Barbara/Montecito, and has studied with a number of master violinists, including Patinka Kopec, assistant to Pinchas Zuckerman.

Mr. Hellman credits a lot of his knowledge to studying at a conservatory. “This has enabled me to learn much more repertoire than I would have at a university.” However, Mamaroneck was where he got his start. “I was handed a violin in third grade and by the end of the 4th grade I was taking off with it. I was particularly fortunate to have had Alex Romanov as a mentor. He is not only a wonderful violin player in his own right, but a wonderful supporter of me; he is one of the truly great teachers at Mamaroneck.”

Some of Mr. Hellman’s recitals and chamber music performances can be seen on LMC TV.

Elana Arian, MHS graduate of 1999, also continued with music in college and has since gone on to pursue a musical career in New York City. She is now working as a professional musician, both performing and teaching. She recently released her first CD, “Foreword”, and is now on a promotional tour of the East Coast.

Ms. Arian still finds time to come back to her MHS roots and is currently teaching violin and coaching a string quartet comprised of four current members of the Mamaroneck orchestra. “I would say that MHS had a lot to do with my continued career in music,” said Ms. Arians. “Probably the most direct influence had to do with the fact that I was able to pursue both violin and guitar—both of which are central to my present life in music—with equal seriousness and focus. If MHS had not had such a stellar orchestral program in addition to an incredible jazz band, I would not have been able to continue to develop both as a violinist and a guitarist in the way that I have.”

Ms. Arian has posted a sample of her work on her website: www.elanaarian.com .

Andrew Shapiro, from the class of 1993, is another Mamaroneck graduate currently traveling all over the world, but in this case it’s his own material being performed. He recently visited Germany where he performed a piano concert in Berlin, and then another pianist performed a Shapiro work in Hamburg.

Mr. Shapiro said, “MHS was a huge inspiration for me, particularly Carl Strommen whom I consider to be my favorite person that I have ever come across in my life. I loved playing in both the main band and the jazz band.”

Mr. Shapiro now has two CD releases, but he is as surprised as anyone that he has been able to create a successful career in music. “When I finished MHS it wasn’t my intention to become a musician, but after a couple of years of college I decided that yes, this was what my calling was.”

Samples of his CD’s are at www.andrewshapiro.com.

“My advice to my students is always to follow your dreams and heart,” said Tim Hooker, MHS band director, who has watched the high school’s band progress over the years. “A music career is not always easy or fair, but the kids who come through the MHS music program love a good challenge, and with enough push they will rise to the occasion every time.”

Callie Schweitzer is a sophomore at MHS. To hear Mamaroneck's current crop of budding musicians, come to the MHS winter concert on December 22 at McClain Auditorium. The high school welcomes back alumni and anyone who wishes to attend.

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