16 THE QUEENS COURIER • MAY 4, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Talented Bayside-based youth orchestra prepares to take the stage at Carnegie Hall BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 A group of young musicians belonging to a Bayside-based orchestra will perform at one of the world’s most prestigious music venues this month. Th e Queens East Orchestra, comprised of 17 students in fourth grade through high school hailing from all around the borough, will take the stage at Manhattan’s Carnegie Hall on Th ursday, May 11. Part of the InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO), the group has been practicing for the performance since January, according to director of programs and cello coach Kristen Drymala. “Th ey’re really dedicated,” Drymala said. “It’s really become a close-knit community.” Th e ensemble, led by conductor Joseph Seifers, made its debut in 2012 and rehearses at P.S. 203 Oakland Gardens School. D. Massimo Brogna, a sixth-grade violinist and Bellerose resident, has been with the group since its inception. “I feel like it’s a great opportunity for all kids of all ages,” Brogna said. “It’s a great way to socialize with people and get to know them better. It helps you work with others. And playing violin — it helps me focus better.” Brogna has performed at the renown musical venue with the ensemble once before. He was excited and nervous leading up to the performance, the student explained, but felt a confi dence boost upon taking the stage. “Once I got on stage, I felt calm and relaxed,” Brogna said. “I knew all the friends I’d been practicing with were with me and supporting me.” Under the direct guidance of Queens East Orchestra violin coach Yaesolji Shin, Brogna said he has been able to refi ne his skills over the years. “Ms. Shin is a great help, and she helps me better understand some of the techniques that are harder, like shift - ing fi ngers,” the student said. “She really clears it up for me, and everyone in the orchestra.” At the May 11 performance, the Queens East Orchestra will perform works from composers Gustav Holst, Lennie Niehaus, Franz Schubert and Victor Lopez. Th e entire night of music will feature performances from nearly 350 ISO student musicians, the Canadian Brass and conductor Tito Muñoz. An ISO alumnus and Forest Hills native, conductor Tito Muñoz will also be honored at the event. Currently the music director of the Phoenix Symphony, Muñoz began playing the violin in the fi ft h grade at I.S. 227 Louis Armstrong School in Elmhurst. “We’re very proud of our students and very excited about the performance,” said Karen Geer, executive director of ISO. “We know it’s going to be a wonderful night.” Tickets for the performance can still be purchased by visiting the Carnegie Hall website. Founded in 1972, the InterSchool Orchestras of New York began with a single orchestra of 20 children; today, it serves nearly 350 children. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available to interested students. To learn more, visit their website, isorch.org. Photo courtesy of InterSchool Orchestras of New York Students in the Queens East Orchestra are preparing for a performance at Carnegie Hall. Queens lawmaker demands study of high levels of lead paint on 7 train BY ANGELA MATUA amatua@qns.com / @amatua Aft er a local painters union found that paint chips falling from the elevated tracks on the 7 line contained extremely high levels of lead, lawmakers are calling on the MTA to study the paint and work to remove it. State Senator Jose Peralta introduced legislation along with Bronx Assemblyman Jeff rey Dinowitz that would require the MTA and New York City Transit Authority to conduct a study on lead paint on elevated subway tracks and stations throughout the city. District 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades found that the 52nd Street station in Jackson Heights contains more than 40 times the legal threshold of lead paint, which amounts to 224,000 parts per million of lead paint. Abatement is usually required when lead levels are higher than 5,000 parts per million, the union said. “As we just celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 7 train, what better present than repainting the trestles, aboveground stations, and making sure dangerous lead paint chips no longer fall onto the streets and sidewalks?” Peralta said. “Th is is the subway line that cuts through several hard-working neighborhoods like Corona, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Woodside.” Th e legislation would require the MTA to submit a written report that includes the study, which would be conducted in tandem with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health to determine how the MTA complies with the federal Clean Air Act. Th e report should also include recommendations to eliminate exposure to lead from falling paint chips and past station renovations to outline the level of lead abatement that was done. According to the MTA, the levels cited by the union were above Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines for residential homes, which include a diff erent standard than outdoor elevated structures. Th e union also represents contractors who have a bid out on the contract to paint the structure. According to Beth DeFalco, spokesperson for the MTA, most of the Flushing Line has been repainted and the stretch cited by the union will be painted with funds from the current budget. “We don’t comment on pending legislation,” she said in a statement. “However, the safety of all our customers and the surrounding community is a top priority. Th e MTA has an aggressive repainting program across the entire system which includes proactively scraping and repainting our structures. Nearly all of the Flushing Line has been repainted Photo courtesy of State Sen. Jose Peralta in recent years and the remaining 3.1- mile stretch will be done as part of the current Capital Program.” NYCT’s environmental consultant has previously tested the air quality along the line and found that levels were within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards but the consultant is currently having samples along the 7 line analyzed again, the MTA said.
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