(Long Island, NY) Brentwood High School students will host a tribute concert at 7 pm, Wednesday, June 3, at the Sonderling Auditorium at 2 Sixth Avenue, to honor the late, beloved Joel Ratner, the School District’s coordinator of music and fine arts, who died in his sleep on February 23, at age 56. The District will also rename the Auditorium for Dr. Ratner.
A total of ten music groups will perform, including nine student jazz groups and one professional group. Dr. Ratner, a trumpeter, had played with the professional group. The High School Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Choir will each perform a unique arrangement of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World,” in tribute to Dr. Ratner. Scott Hartman, the Interim Music Coordinator, organized the event. Dr. Ratner’s wife, Jody, and other members of his family are expected to attend. Dr. Ratner became the district coordinator of music and fine arts in 1996. Brentwood school district musicians, under his leadership, won State Marching Band championships in 2010, 2007 and 2006. He served as president of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education in 2008-’09, and as president of the Suffolk County Music Educators Association in 2000-’01. Beginning in 2011, Dr. Ratner was a member of the New York State Regents Task Force for Teacher and Principal Effectiveness. Students, teachers and district administrators had praised Dr. Ratner for his work and total dedication. He was a prime defender of music and arts programs for Grades K through 12.
What: Tribute concert to the late Dr. Joel Ratner, music and fine arts coordinator at the Brentwood school district
When: Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 7 pm
Where: Brentwood High School’s Sonderling Auditorium 2 Sixth Avenue, Brentwood
