(By Robert Brodsky and Daniel Bubbeo Newsday, July 7)
Lillian Barbash, Long Island’s “First Lady of the Arts” who transformed the Islip Arts Council into a musical powerhouse and helped create the now defunct Long Island Philharmonic, died July 4 at her home in Brightwaters after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure. She was 92.
Barbash and her late husband, Maurice, a prominent real estate developer, were among the region’s most committed arts patrons. They served together on the boards of the
South Shore Symphony and the Suffolk Symphony in the 1960s; commissioned a Classical piece for Yo-Yo Ma and created the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund.
Lillian Barbash led the arts council for 31 years, building it into the region’s top presenter of Classical music. Tens of thousands of Long Islanders each summer attended the council’s free New York Philharmonic concert in Heckscher State Park in East Islip.
“She modeled for me that whatever I wanted to do was possible and that all avenues were open,” said her eldest daughter, Cathy Barbash, of Manhattan. “She showed me that everything was achievable.”
Lillian Like was born in the Bronx, the second of four children to Esther Like, a homemaker, and Benjamin Like, who worked in the garment industry. Lillian Like, who grew up playing the piano, graduated from Hunter College with a degree in chemistry and worked briefly as a high school science teacher.
In the early 1940s, Maurice Barbash was introduced to Lillian by her older brother, Irving, and the couple quickly hit it off, with Maurice bringing her Chopin and Rachmaninoff recordings.
The high school sweethearts married in 1947 and moved to Brightwaters in 1954. The couple, family members said, were inseparable until Maurice’s death in 2013. They raised three children: Cathy Barbash; Susan Barbash, of Bay Shore, and Shepard Barbash, of West Islip.
“My mother was tough but fair,” said Susan Barbash. “She was never a meddler or judgmental. She was supportive of our choices at all times. And I always felt that she was in my corner.”
After her children left home for college, Lillian Barbash was asked by the Town of Islip in 1976 to lead the Islip Arts Council.
“She didn’t want to just bring amateur musicians to the public,” said Susan Barbash, adding that her mother believed there was an untapped audience for Classical music on Long Island. “She wanted to bring the very best and that’s exactly what she did.”
The Council’s chamber music series featured world-renowned ensembles, including the Beaux Arts Trio, Juilliard String Quartet, Tashi, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and Music from Marlboro.
“She became a real powerhouse and basically taught herself,” Cathy Barbash said. “She didn’t let anyone intimidate her and forced everyone to take her seriously.”
For 31 consecutive years, Barbash brought the New York Philharmonic to Heckscher State Park, attracting crowds exceeding 20,000. The concerts, with their fireworks finales, became a summer tradition for Suffolk audiences and Philharmonic musicians.
Barbash was instrumental in making free concerts accessible to Long Islanders, including the Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River and the Bay Shore Band Shell. She also thought beyond Classical music, expanding concerts to showcase different genres, from Big Band to country music.
“She was very open-minded,” said Trish Woods, a former Islip Arts Council board member. “She would listen to ideas and think about them. She never criticized anyone.”
Woods added that when Barbash ran meetings, “she ruled with an iron fist and a velvet glove.”
In 1995, the Barbashes spent $18,000 to organize a trip for 700 juniors and seniors at Bay Shore High School to see a Broadway performance of “Having Our Say.” The response from the students was so overwhelming that the couple established the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund, which in 2016 paid for 500 students to see “Hamilton” on Broadway.
“What she gave to Long Island can’t be measured monetarily,” said Holly Gordon, an artist and current council board member who knew Barbash for more than 30 years. “She had a love and boundless passion for the arts. She was sharing something that was part of her DNA. … I keep thinking of her introducing theater to all of these young people. The seeds she planted in them will be shared with new generations.”
Gordon added that “what Robert Moses did for the growth of Long Island, Lillian did for the arts.”
Lynda A. Moran, who became executive director of the Islip Arts Council after Barbash retired in 2008, said she was in awe of how much work Barbash put into everything she did. “She left huge footprints to follow,” Moran said.
Barbash, who took no salary, also became known for booking promising young musicians and bringing artist masters classes into the schools.
“She was an amazing lady,” said Frank Salomon, a friend of 30 years who represented many of the artists that Barbash booked. “She was one of those wonderful enthusiasts for music and for life.”
The Barbashes also were socially active, protesting the Vietnam War.
Maurice and Lillian celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary by commissioning a cello and orchestra piece by composer Leon Kirchner for Yo-Yo Ma that was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1992. The piece later won a Grammy.
Lillian Barbash retired at age 81, but spent the past decade traveling and attending opera, concerts, ballet and theater.
Funeral services were held July 6 at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.
in addition to her three children, Barbash is survived by sons-in-law Michael Riley and Eric Katz; daughter-in-law Vicki Ragan; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Donations can be made in her name to Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund.
One of the Greatest Events of the School Year1- Download this form: Friend of Dance>>
and return with cash or check to the Office of Cultural Arts by April 18th
-OR-
2- Pay using this link: GoFundMe >>
Choose your sponsorship level
FRIEND: $25 • BEST FRIEND: $50 • DANCE FANATIC: $100
Be sure to write your name as you would like for it to appear in the Bay Shore Dances Program in the comments section on the GoFundMe page
For inclusion in the program, online payments are due by April 22nd
Each year BSSAEF underwrites cultural programs for Bay Shore students. To finance these cultural programs, the BSSAEF seeks funding from a variety of sources including private donations, corporate contributions and foundation grants. Mindful that not all families in the school district have ready access to the arts, the BSSAEF works hard to ensure that in Bay Shore the arts are for everyone.
Please consider a donation to our gofundme campaign.
Click here to view some of the programs made possible by BSSAEF>>
On February & March 6, “Chicago” Dance Captain David Bushman, and on-stage concertmaster, violinist Marshall Coid will be sharing their considerable expertise with 180 lucky Bay Shore high school students, who are preparing their own production of “Chicago” which will run from March 21st through 23rd. The coaching sessions will be held at Bay Shore High School.
The Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund (BSSAEF), the community based not-for-profit that brought 500 Bay Shore students to see the hit show “Hamilton” in 2016, is sponsoring two days of master classes conducted by Bushman and Coid. Students will get a master class in Bob Fosse’s choreography, as well as vocal coaching on how to best deliver the great songs of Kander and Ebb. Violinist Coid will coach both singers and the high school pit orchestra.
Fosse specialist, David Bushman, has been the Dance Captain of “Chicago” for eight years. The Dance Captain teaches and integrates replacements into the cast and works with the company to maintain the integrity of Fosse’s choreography. As Dance Captain of the longest running American musical on Broadway, as well as re-stager of the last 6 national tours, David Bushman has been teaching and coaching the style of Fosse to all level of dancers, from master classes to celebrities such as Brandy and Mel B. (The Fosse aesthetic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLdXwdltOL80 ) Violinist, Marshall Coid, who is also a professional singer, has been “concertmaster” of the on-stage orchestra for over 20 years. He has accompanied every Broadway cast member since the show opened in 1996.
Bay Shore’s long tradition of presenting an annual fully staged musical dates back to 1961. Current Theater Director, faculty member Chris Bilella is himself a Bay Shore graduate, as are Pit Orchestra Director Christine Sprague Mendolia and Vocal Director Katie Malpgili. “Our cast of Chicago is beyond excited to have this chance to work with Broadway professionals of this caliber,” said Bilella adding, “Most of the cast saw the Broadway show a few weeks ago and had a chance to meet and talk with the cast. Now we have a chance to work with the Dance Captain and concert master as we prepare our version of Chicago.” As far as anyone one can recall…this is the first time the students will receive coaching from veteran Broadway pros.
Tickets to Bay Shore’s production of Chicago can be purchased by calling (631) 748-9098 or by emailing BSHSdrama@bayshoreschools.org Show dates are March 21, 22 and 23 @ 7pm.
Each year BSSAEF underwrites cultural programs for Bay Shore students. To finance these cultural programs, the BSSAEF seeks funding from a variety of sources including private donations, corporate contributions and foundation grants. Mindful that not all families in the school district have ready access to the arts, the BSSAEF works hard to ensure that in Bay Shore the arts are for everyone.
Please consider a donation to our gofundme campaign.
Click here to view some of the programs made possible by BSSAEF>>
RECEPTION: MONDAY DECEMBER 5TH / 6PM – 9PM BAY SHORE HIGH SCHOOL
(more details below)
From Dec. 5-7, Romeo will be meeting with Bay Shore High School students to tell his story, as well as the effects on war on a person and on society.
Presented by Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund
Fifty years ago, Bay Shore’s Frank Romeo was finishing up his senior year at Bay Shore High School. Frank was what people used to call a jock, interested in sports and not much else.
Instead of going onto college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army with his best high school buddy. By the time he was 19 years of age, Frank was fighting in Vietnam. He barely made it home. Read full story >>
Bay Shore Faculty’s Finest Wows Them at Bay Shore Dances 2017
Led by the incomparable Stasia Debonis
Show our singing and dancing students some love,
add your message to the “Song & Dance Benefit” program!
On October 17, students from Ms. Acker’s, Ms. Rocco’s, Ms. Williams’, Mr.Mercado’s, and Ms. Handley’s 11th grade English classes traveled to the Sleepy Hollow cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, NY to partake in a two hour historical walking tour. Thanks in large part to a generous contribution from the Bay Shore Students Arts Education Fund, 55 students were able to complement their reading of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” One student commented “I was, literally, in awe when I saw the Headless Horseman bridge. Being in the surroundings that inspired the story we read in class really helped with my understanding of it.” Many of the new language learners reflected on how they are grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend this unique field trip. For these particular students, this walking tour helped them better understand the American literature they were being taught in the classroom. After the beautiful and educational tour, students enjoyed a picnic lunch at the stunning Rockefeller State Park and Preserve.
Naomi Shihab Nye is a self-proclaimed wanderer.
The award-winning songwriter, poet, essayist, and educator has wandered her way across Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and the United States, producing more than 30 volumes of poetry and inspiring countless artists along the way.
Her next journey will bring her to Bay Shore High School on Thursday, Sept. 22, where she will share her experiences with over 600 students and lead two intensive writing workshops with Bay Shore’s aspiring young authors.
The Writers Series is funded by a multi-year grant from the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund, a local not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance participation in the arts for all Bay Shore students.
Over the course of three years, the series has brought in award-winning authors Kyle Dargan, Veronica Golos, Jeanann Verlee and Regie Cabico to present their work to students.
“The response from students and teachers is tremendous,” said Matt Pasca, the curator of the series. “Some students have even sent inspired letters and emails to the authors we’ve brought in.”
Naomi Shihab Nye will present two 20-minute poetry readings to an audience of over 600 students. Between those presentations, she will conduct two separate 60-minute poetry workshops with a smaller group of students who sign up beforehand.
“I love Naomi’s energy, it instantly makes you feel more positive about the future and your role it in,” Pasca said. “I believe that young people have that same exuberant, creative energy and will connect with that. Our goal is to expose as many students as we can to that energy, to generate a conversation about the purpose of writing and art.”
The nonprofit has continued to fulfill its commitment to bring deliver the arts to all Bay Shore students since its founding in 1997.
In March, the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund took over 500 students to see the acclaimed musical Hamilton on Broadway.
Pasca, an English teacher who has been with the district for 20 years and is a published author himself, sees the Writer Series as a way of giving back to the community that shaped his artistic development.
“What’s wonderful is the Bay Shore community has always had such a strong commitment to the arts,” he said. “By the time they reach high school, our students already have this level of sophistication. We want to build on that and provide all Bay Shore students with access to the great theatre, music, writing, and poetry.
“It’s not just for the AP kids, the theatre kids, or the honors students. It’s for everyone.”
The day could not have been more perfect.
On Wednesday March 30, Bay Shore students woke up to beautiful blue skies and spring like weather…a perfect day for a perfect field trip.
After over a year of planning, the big day had finally arrived. Thanks to the Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund, Bay Shore’s junior class (and some lucky seniors) were going to make the trip to Broadway to see the acclaimed musical Hamilton.
Written by the reigning genius of the stage, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton tells the story of Alexander Hamilton and his contemporaries. Miranda’s Hamilton was inspired by historian Ron Chernow’s magisterial 800 page biography, ”Alexander Hamilton,” a book that Miranda just happened to pick up in an airport bookstore.
The story of this ambitious, brilliant but self-destructive and ultimately tragic figure struck a chord inside Miranda. He realized that hip-hop was the perfect musical style for describing the Hamilton and his era, because it is “the language of youth and energy and of rebellion….I treat it as a musical form, and a musical form that allows you to pack in a ton of lyric.” And the sum total of all those lyrics is an extraordinary tutorial on American History…….a tutorial that our students are not likely to forget.
Bay Shore Schools Arts Education Fund (BSSAEF) chairperson, Susan Barbash, was fortunate enough to see Hamilton during its off- Broadway run at the Public Theater. By intermission Barbash realized that she wanted the BSSAEF to take Bay Shore’s entire junior class to see this important show. Barbash pitched the idea to Mr. Joseph Lemke, the chairman of the Bay Shore High School Social Studies Department, Mrs. Kristina Cope (English Language Arts) and Mr. Terry Nigrelli (Director of Cultural Arts) All agreed that this would be no ordinary one-day excursion.
As Joseph Lemke observed, “Taking our students to see Hamilton presented the opportunity for an exemplar of school field trips — one that was highly engaging for the students and revolved around a multi-disciplinary curriculum in the classroom both before and after the trip. In Social Studies, students explored the role and influence of Hamilton as a ‘Founding Father’. In English Language Arts, students would examine the spoken word genre. Through the Cultural Arts program, students analyzed and practiced with styles of hip-hop. If our goal is for students to recognize the relevance of the curricula beyond the walls of our school, the ‘Hamilton’ project would be a model of this approach.”
And so, on July 1, 2015 – a month before the show opened on Broadway – Barbash purchased 580 tickets the for March 30, 2016 matinee performance of Hamilton. (Note: Because of the extraordinary demand for tickets, buying large blocks of tickets through Group Sales is no longer an option.)
Enhancing an already amazing experience:
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History www.gilderlehrman.org arranged for a post-performance talk back.
From left to right: Javier Munoz (Alexander Hamilton), Moderator Kaitlin Fine. , David Guzman (Ensemble), Jonathan Groff (King George), Sasha Hutchings (Ensemble),
Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison),
Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson)
Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler)
A student Hamilton Board had prepared questions for the cast members, the first being, “What kind of high school student were you?” FYI Ensemble member Sasha Hutchings was her high school valedictorian.
Hamilton was played by Miranda’s understudy Javier Munoz who some critics think is in some ways a better performer than Miranda (read NYTimes Article here). He was extraordinary in every way.
“Bay Shore in the House”
Hamilton publicist Sam Rudy said that this was the biggest talk-back audience they had ever had…most are no more than 50 people. He also shared the following: ”In today’s performance report as issued by stage management, it was noted what a robust and responsive group yours was during the matinee.”
LILife: Bay Shore Hamilton Read full story here
LI LIfe: A field trip to envy Read full story here
Newsday: Top celebs find ways to get kids into music and to see Broadway read more >>
Newsday: To Broadway for Free / Barbash treats Bay Shore High (November 17, 1995) read full article: BSSAEF, Having Our Say Newsday articles >>
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