Ten singers from the Lynbrook High School Chorus took the stage at Merkin Hall in Manhattan on Monday, Oct. 5, performing alongside Broadway professionals at a gala honoring the songwriting team of Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire. The students closed the night, singing the Maltby and Shire song The Story Goes On with Broadway performer Liz Callaway, and the district reports the audience gave them a standing ovation.

The Lynbrook Public Schools shared the news on Oct. 13. The concert was the sixth annual gala of the American Songbook Association and Cabaret Scenes, titled Maltby & Shire: Our Story Goes On, held at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street.

Who sang

The Lynbrook group was made up of Karen Benitez, Ana Berrios, Isabella Bonfa, Isabella Ehmsen, Hailey Lovaglio, Gabriella Matthews, Isabella Mendez, Lily Perez, Ben Singleton and Rey Vargas.

The students were prepared by LHS Chorus teacher Barry Wyner. On stage they were joined by another Lynbrook music teacher: Annie Pasqua, who teaches chorus at Lynbrook South Middle School, played piano for the performance. The American Songbook Association lists Pasqua on piano for the evening, alongside musical director and pianist Deniz Cordell and bassist Scott Chaurette.

A night built around two Broadway writers

Maltby and Shire wrote the musicals Baby, Big, Starting Here, Starting Now, Closer Than Ever and About Time. The American Songbook Association says the pair are receiving its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, presented with Cabaret Scenes, and the October gala was built as a tribute to their work.

The association's gala page names more than 20 featured performers, including Callaway, Jenn Colella, Judy Collins, Josh Groban, Julia Murney, Christiane Noll, Barbara Walsh and Sally Wilfert, plus a group of students from 92Y and a vocal group called the Powderpuff Girls. The same evening, Marty and Perry Granoff received the association's Bill Sensenbrenner Dream Maker Award for their support of arts opportunities for young people.

For the Lynbrook students, the night extended beyond their own number. According to the district, they had time after the show to talk with Maltby, Shire and Callaway about careers in music. They also spoke with several working performers: Eddie Korbich, who originated the role of Scuttle in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid; Josh Dela Cruz, known from the children's TV series Blue's Clues; and Sal Viviano, whose stage credits include Chicago and Falsettos.

About the organization behind the gala

The American Songbook Association is a New York nonprofit that centers its work on classic American music. Its education program works with public schools in New York City and the tri-state area, and the group says its goal is to build students' confidence and curiosity through exposure to the music, not necessarily to train professional musicians. It also runs a Music for Seniors program and a Sunday Session concert series.

Music in Lynbrook schools

The Broadway appearance comes from a district music program that runs from kindergarten through 12th grade. At the high school level, Lynbrook offers Mixed Chorus and Concert Choir along with Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and AP Music Theory, according to the district's music curriculum page. The district's Fine and Performing Arts department says Lynbrook has again been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education.

Students also take part in county and state festivals such as NYSSMA, All-County and LISFA, and each school presents musical theater and play productions every year.

Where to hear Lynbrook students next

Residents who want to see the district's performers closer to home have several dates coming up, all listed on the Lynbrook Public Schools district calendar:

The Lynbrook High School musical is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., with two performances on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Winter concerts for the district's elementary and middle schools are scheduled at the high school from Tuesday, Dec. 1 through Monday, Dec. 14, with each school assigned its own evening.

The LHS Winter Gala Festival of the Arts is on the calendar for the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The Friends of Lynbrook Music, a parent support group, meets next at Lynbrook High School on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Lynbrook High School is at 9 Union Ave. For questions about the music program, the district's Fine and Performing Arts office can be reached at 516-887-0262. Check the district calendar before heading out, since times and locations can change.

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