COMMACK SCHOOLS

2017 CHS alums Matthew Levine and Steven Foti returned to their alma mater on Tuesday, along with other members of the New York Army National Guard 42nd Infantry Division band, to play alongside current wind ensemble music students.

Levine and Foti, both sergeants in the New York Army National Guard, spoke about their journey and how music can be a lifelong option even if it’s not your primary career.

Foti noted that the national guard band, which recently performed at the Army’s 250th birthday parade in Washington D.C. as well as for royal audiences, has members whose full-time occupations include florists, teachers and firefighters.

The band currently is on tour of schools, including CHS, to share their musical story.

On Tuesday, they performed New Orleans-stye brass band music and also played alongside the students.