A scene from the Staten Island Philharmonic performance at Conference House Park in Tottenville on May 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney)Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Sprawled out on picnic blankets or lounging in colorful lawn chairs, dozens of Staten Islanders indulged in the Staten Island Philharmonic’s musical talents Sunday afternoon.
Under the massive trees of Conference House Park in Tottenville, the philharmonic played a selection of Memorial Day-inspired pieces for an enraptured audience.
Even the birds seemed to stop chirping to listen for a while.
French horn player Luke Suter smiles during the intermission of the Staten Island Philharmonic performance at Conference House Park on May 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney)Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney
“I was able to briefly … just get to look out at the crowd a little bit and just all the smiles and all of the joy, from the music that we’re playing … I mean, it’s why we do music. It’s specifically that: to see that joy in people’s faces. It’s not the most prestigious band in the world, but it has brought all these people on the Island together,” Luke Suter, a 20-year-old Westerleigh French horn player performing in the philharmonic, said.
Among those closest to the philharmonic was Goose, an 8-month-old French Bulldog. Sitting with his grand-”paw”-rents, Westerleigh residents Maria and Dennis Wittek, the little pup enjoyed some music on his blue blanket or in the arms of the Witteks.
Maria and Dennis Wittek pose with Goose the French Bulldog at Conference House Park on May 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney)Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney
Goose is the dog of Jeff Wittek, a popular Staten Island-born YouTuber and barber who boasts over 3 million followers on YouTube and 2.4 million on Instagram.
“… I get to appreciate the music, and it’s just a lovely venue here,” Maria Wittek explained. “I love the Conference House, and I just love hearing the orchestra playing.”
Dozens of Staten Islanders enjoy the Staten Island Philharmonic performance at Conference House Park on May 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney)Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney
Each of the performers in the philharmonic are professionals, according to the philharmonic’s treasurer, librarian, and bass trombonist Kevin Clark.
“We’re actually in the process of … migrating to a younger orchestra. A lot of us are getting pretty gray beard, and some folks are having to stop and drop out because of age, but we’re trying to recycle as much as we can,” Clark explained. “We always keep in mind, are they compatible people? Are they pleasant? Are they fun to work with? And try to use people that way and hold on to them as long as they can.”
Clark is the husband of the president of the philharmonic and French horn player, Carolyn Clark.
Children enjoy the music played by the Staten Island Philharmonic at Conference House Park on May 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney)Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney
The philharmonic additionally suffered from funding cuts by the city this year, according to Clark.
To find out more about the philharmonic, including additional concert dates, donation and contact information, you can visit siphilharmonic.org or visit their Facebook, @siphilharmonic.
An American flag-themed chair is seen at Conference House Park on May 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney)Advance/SILive.com | Jillian Delaney
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