High school star musician Michael Strenta was invited to perform on tenor saxophone at the annual SCMEA Day of Jazz, held at Centereach High School on Feb. 6.
Strenta, a senior, is an exceptionally gifted musician and multi-instrumentalist. He currently serves as principal alto saxophonist for Deer Park’s wind ensemble, lead tenor saxophonist in the school’s jazz ensemble, field captain for the school’s Marching Falcons marching band, and as a featured soloist for the Deer Park band’s performances at Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. He has also performed in the pit orchestra for the high school’s musical productions for the last three years.
Strenta has participated in the New York State School Music Association solo competition on both alto saxophone and piano, consistently earning the highest scores possible. He has also participated in Jazz NYSSMA and recently auditioned for and was awarded a slot in the Suffolk County Music Educators Association’s All-County Jazz Orchestra. He was also selected for this year’s New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education All-County Symphonic Band.
“Michael is an extremely accomplished and versatile student-musician,” said Bradley Murphy, the district’s curriculum associate for fine and performing arts. “We are all incredibly proud of him for his accomplishments through the art form we call jazz.”