Music Department
Izzet Mergen, Ed.D.
Director of Fine and Performing Arts
154 Laurel Hill Road, Northport, NY 11768
Phone (631) 262 - 6694
izzet.mergen@northport.k12.ny.us
The Northport- East Northport Music Department continues to receive significant recognition for excellence in music education including:
- NYSSMA Blue Ribbon Award
- 100 Best Communities in Music Education - NAMM Foundation
- Grammy Signature School
- Significant participation/representation of students in All County and All State festivals
Music Program Overview
The purpose of all music courses in the Northport-East Northport Schools is to develop musical literacy. As music educators, we believe all students have the potential to learn and enjoy music. Studies show that music helps students become better thinkers, develop higher-order skills, and increase desire to learn. The Northport-East Northport School District is committed to excellence in music education and has one of the most extensive and innovative music curriculums in the country. We have been the recipient of the New York State School Music Association’s “Presidential Citation” for program excellence and our community has been recognized numerous times as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education in America” by the National School Boards Association, AMC, NAMM and MTNA.
Our ensembles have performed locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in locations such as the White House, the Vatican, Italy, France, Scandinavia, London, Vienna, Barcelona, Madrid, St. Patrick's Cathedral (NYC), Carnegie Hall (NYC), and Lincoln Center (NYC). Some of our chamber musicians have been selected to perform in the Young Musician’s Concert sponsored by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The Northport High School Band was the "Official New York State Band" and performed and the opening and closing ceremonies in 1964! To my knowledge, our High School is the only one in the nation with a 40-year history of composer’s concerts featuring original music compositions by our students. The Northport Tiger Band was the “2019 New York State Marching Band,” and marched in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.
Our community band, community orchestra, community chorus, and community jazz ensemble perform annually and our high school graduates become community music ensemble members, and some even perform with the community ensembles while in high school.