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Long Beach High School

Music Department

Director of Media, Visual & Performing Arts: Julia Lang-Shapiro

Office Phone: (516) 897-6500
Ms. Albani, Orchestra
Mr. Bragino, Band
Dr. Michael Capobianco, Chorus
Mr. Frey, Theatre
Mr. Marks, Band
Mr. Rossi, Guitar/Digital Music

Music is a part of your everyday life. Whether you realize it or not, you are conditioned by its subtle influence. It can sway your emotions in many directions. TV commercials use music to influence you to buy products. Movies employ music as carefully as scriptwriters use dialogue. Whether online, on the radio, CD's, instruments, singing, or the musical theatre... music surrounds you. 

The Long Beach High School music program is designed so that students experience a broad range of musical styles and includes performance opportunities featuring band, choir, orchestra and jazz programs. Many of our students are recognized at the local, state and national levels. In recognition of outstanding achievement, Long Beach Public Schools have been recognized as one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in the nation for the past 6 years. 

The music department adheres to national and state curricular standards and is committed to introducing its students to technology and a broad range of musical experiences. To this end, the high school has a state-of-the-art music computer lab and offer technology-based music production and recording classes. 

National & State Music Learning Standards:

  1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
  2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
  3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
  4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines.
  5. Reading and notating music.
  6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
  7. Evaluating music and music performances.
  8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
  9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

The music department's offerings are designed to meet the needs of different students. While specialized courses help prepare students for professional training, the vast majority of students will want to expose their senses to receive deeper benefits. Besides the performing groups of Band, Chorus and Orchestra, Long Beach High School offers specialized courses such as Digital Design Sound, Music Theory, IB Music, Studio in Theatre Arts and Guitar.

 

 

 

 

Current News

LBHS Students Explore Future Opportunities at College Fair Hosted by SUNY Maritime College

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The Long Beach High School Counseling Department recently accompanied 10th and 11th grade students to an engaging and informative College Fair hosted on the campus of the State University of New York Maritime College.

At the event, students had the opportunity to connect directly with more than 40 college representatives from a wide range of institutions. They asked thoughtful questions about academic programs, campus life, admissions requirements, and potential career pathways. The Long Beach students gained valuable insight into the many options available to them after high school.

In addition to exploring the college fair, students took a campus tour, allowing them to experience firsthand what life on a college campus can look like. Walking through academic buildings and student spaces gave the Long Beach students a glimpse into the college environment and daily student life.

By providing early exposure to higher education settings and facilitating meaningful interactions with admissions professionals, the Counseling Department continues to empower students to make informed and confident decisions about their post-secondary plans.

Date Added: 3/4/2026

LBHS Student Art Selected for Prestigious Heckscher Museum Exhibition

Long Beach High School is proud to announce that senior Lyla Pinto and freshman Kaylah Richardson have been selected to exhibit their artwork in the Heckscher Museum of Art. thumbnail269075

Long Beach High School is proud to announce that senior Lyla Pinto and freshman Kaylah Richardson have been selected to exhibit their artwork in the Heckscher Museum of Art’s prestigious high school juried exhibition, Long Island’s Best: Young Artists 2026.

This year’s competition drew a record breaking 402 student submissions from across Long Island. After a highly competitive juried review process, only 84 works were selected for inclusion in the final exhibition making this recognition an extraordinary honor for Lyla and Kaylah.

The exhibition will be on view from March 29 through May 3 at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, showcasing some of the most exceptional high school artwork from across the region.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Long Island’s Best has been a cornerstone of the Museum’s educational programming for three decades. Over the years, the exhibition has highlighted the creative achievements of more than 2,000 high school students.

“We are incredibly proud of Lyla and Kaylah for this outstanding accomplishment,” said Long Beach Director of Media, Visual & Performing Arts Julia Lang-Shapiro. “Their selection reflects not only their individual talent and dedication, but also the strength of our arts program.”

Long Beach High School also extends congratulations to art teachers Eric Fox and Joanne Harvey for their guidance and support throughout the creative process. The success of these young artists is a testament to the dedication, opportunity, and artistic excellence fostered within the Long Beach Media, Visual and Performing Arts Department.

 

Date Added: 3/4/2026

LBHS Theatre Department Presents Shrek the Musical

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The Long Beach High School Theatre Department proudly presents Shrek the Musical, a hilarious and heartwarming stage adaptation of the beloved animated film. 

Join us for an unforgettable theatrical experience filled with laughter, adventure, and a powerful message about acceptance and self-discovery. Don’t miss this spectacular production of Shrek the Musical at Long Beach High School!

Performances will take place March 12–14 in the Long Beach High School Auditorium.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the book by William Steig, Shrek the Musical follows the story of a grumpy ogre, Shrek, who loves his solitary swamp life—until it’s invaded by a parade of banished fairy tale creatures. Determined to reclaim his home, Shrek strikes a deal with the diminutive Lord Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona in exchange for his swamp. Along the way, he is joined by his loyal and lovable sidekick, Donkey, and discovers that true friendship and love can be found in the most unexpected places. As Fiona harbors a secret of her own, audiences are reminded that beauty comes from within and that happily-ever-after may look a little different than expected.

This year’s production is directed by Alex Austein, with Musical Director Michael Capobianco and Conductor Leigh Yazak leading the orchestra. Christianne Donohue serves as Choreographer, and Scott Scheinson joins the team as Production Designer. Together with a talented cast and crew of Long Beach High School students, the creative team brings vibrant energy, imaginative staging, and memorable musical numbers to this family-friendly production.

Featured in leading roles are LBHS seniors Luke Morita as Shrek, Reilly Sanfilippo as Princess Fiona, and Michael Macaluso Vosganian as Lord Farquaad, alongside LBHS junior Ronin Morita as Donkey. Their performances highlight the depth of talent and dedication within the Long Beach High School theatre program.

Performance Schedule:

* Thursday, March 12 – 7:00 PM (Opening Night)
* Friday, March 13 – 7:00 PM
* Saturday, March 14 – 3:00 PM (Matinee)

Please note that the Saturday performance has been rescheduled to a 3:00 PM matinee to better accommodate our younger audience members and families.

Click here to purchase tickets online.
For special seating needs, please call 516-897-6500.

 

 

Date Added: 3/2/2026

 

LBHS Literary Magazine Earns National Recognition

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Long Beach High School’s student-produced literary magazine, Fragments, has received significant national recognition for excellence in writing, design, and editorial leadership.

Fragments was awarded a Superior ranking in the 2025 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program, an honor given to student publications that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, design, and editorial vision.

In addition, Fragments has been named a 2025 CSPA Crown Award Finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Only 221 publications worldwide were selected for this distinction, and finalists will receive either a Gold or Silver Crown at Columbia University this March.

These honors reflect the dedication, creativity, and leadership of the Long Beach High School student editors, particularly Editors-in-Chief Elliot Biern and Shea Rehnback, as well as the contributions of all student writers and staff. Their work continues to exemplify the strength of Long Beach High School’s commitment to student voice and the arts.
 

 

 

Date Added: 2/11/2026

SMILE Club Attends 2026 Human Rights Awareness Conference

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Members of the Long Beach High School SMILE Club, accompanied by supervisors Mr. Butler and Mrs. Susko, attended the 2026 Human Rights Awareness Conference, “Your Human Rights Are My Responsibility,” hosted at Adelphi University. Throughout the day, students participated in interactive workshops centered on healthy relationships, human rights, and mindfulness, gaining insight into how their voices and choices can shape the future.

A highlight of the conference was a powerful presentation by journalist Angie Hernandez, whose message sparked meaningful reflection and thoughtful dialogue among students. Inspired by the experience, SMILE Club members are eager to return in future years and to bring what they learned back to the Long Beach High School community.

The mission of the SMILE Program is to empower individuals to become more self-aware and to develop the skills necessary to make informed decisions about their lives. Through resources, guidance, and support, the program helps individuals better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, while fostering awareness of how personal choices impact both themselves and others.

Date Added: 2/11/2026