Baldwin band kicks off Northwell Health’s Nurses Week

The Baldwin High School Pep Band was recently invited to be part of an exclusive performance at North Shore University Hospital as part of Northwell Health’s Nurses Week Celebration. Megan Stewart, associate volunteer experience program manager, worked with Pat Banhazl, school-to-career coordinator for Baldwin High School, and the directors of bands, Scott Dunn and Deanna Nikirk, to coordinate more than forty students from the Pep Band to welcome the nurses to work through the gift of song.

Lined up at the inside entrance, the student musicians surprised the nurses as they walked into their shift with numerous favorite, upbeat jams. More than fifteen tunes were played, spanning multiple decades, from “YMCA” by the Village People, “Any Way You Want It” by Journey, “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry, to “I Like to Move It” by Real 2 Real, “Push It” by Salt n’ Pepa and “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO.

Hospital leadership, Irene Macyk, North Shore University Hospital Chief Nursing Officer; Tara Laumenede, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer; and Josephine Melchione, senior director of patient care, were also in attendance to show their appreciation for the hard-working staff and to watch the live entertainment.

“The band played great, and we had fun,” said Scott Dunn, Director of Bands. “The nurses seemed to really appreciate it, and everybody we worked with at North Shore University Hospital was extremely professional and accommodating. Overall, it was truly a wonderful experience for all involved and a special evening for our students and Northwell nurses.”

“We were thrilled to be a part of North Shore University Hospital’s Nurses Week Celebration, and to show our gratitude for first responders through music,” added Ms. Nikirk, band director for Baldwin High School. “The collective energy of the hospital staff and administration was contagiously uplifting, and our students had a wonderful time collaborating with them for such a meaningful event.”

The Baldwin High School Pep Band consists of student musicians in grades 9 through 12 who are also part of either the Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, or both.