The West Islip Symphony Orchestra began a month-long celebration of the achievements of Black composers and writers throughout the history of music with “Culture Sounds: African American Music in Song,” in the Carriage House at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, located at 440 Montauk Highway in Great River, on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. This was the kickoff to the Islip Arts Council’s (IAC) Black History Month Winter Concert Series. All concerts are free, with a $5 suggested donation. Seating for the popular event was first come, first served.

“It was standing-room-only. We had to turn people away,” said IAC executive director, Lynda Moran.

Several members and friends of the orchestra performed “Culture Sounds,” which included musical selections in a variety of genres such as classical, ragtime, pop, and doo-wop.

The accomplished Paul Little served as assistant conductor of the Island Symphony. He is currently the musical director and conductor of the West Islip Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2018. Little previously appeared as a guest conductor of the West Islip Symphony, starting in 2013.

Under the conducting tutelage of Timothy Topolewski, Little graduated from the Crane School of Music, in 2003, with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He went on to receive his master’s in music technology from Five Towns College in 2007. As a student at Crane, his studies were varied and challenging, encompassing being a violinist studying under Joan Harea. He was one of the original members of El Norte Tropicale, the school’s Latin jazz ensemble. The talented musician also performed with the Crane Symphony Orchestra at the 2000 Goodwill Games Opening Ceremonies, and with the Crane Handbell Choir at Crane Christmas Convocations. In addition, in his illustrious career, he has accompanied electric violinist Mark Wood, as well as performed with notable acts such as Joe Piscopo, Linda Eder, Bruce Hornsby, and Edwin McCain.

The recipient of the 2015 Town of Islip Black History Distinguished Service Award, Little is currently a private teacher of violin, viola, and cello, which he has taught for more than 15 years. Before this, he taught orchestra and music theory in the North Babylon and Valley Stream Central School Districts. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the West Islip Symphony and Island Symphony, and is the current president of the Northport Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about upcoming concerts and events go to isliparts.org.