Commack, NY (December 18, 2025) – The Commack High School Handbell Choir treated members of Fountaingate Gardens Independent Living Life Plan Community to a special musical experience today with an interactive performance that blended music, education and meaningful intergenerational connection.
The student ensemble comprised primarily of freshmen, sophomores and juniors—with one senior—performed a selection of bell-ringing pieces for members, followed by an engaging question-and-answer session about the music, the bells, and the techniques behind the performance. The discussion sparked particular interest among Fountaingate Gardens’ many retired educators, who eagerly asked questions and shared their own musical insights.
The performance was led by Catherine Neville, Commack’s music teacher, who oversees the handbell choir and other music programs. Students also sang alongside their handbell performance, inviting members to join in and sing along, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere.
“The students were wonderful—talented, thoughtful, and so engaging with our members,” said Mady Aliano, founding member of Fountaingate Gardens and retired principal in the Garden City School District. “This was more than a performance; it was a shared learning experience.”
Members involved with Fountaingate Gardens’ own developing chorale group expressed strong interest in the handbell instruments used by the students, with several members exploring the possibility of incorporating bells into their own ensemble as the program grows.
The performance was part of the ongoing student group performances at Fountaingate Gardens as part of its commitment to lifelong learning, creative expression, and community engagement across generations.
About Fountaingate Gardens
Fountaingate Gardens, part of Gurwin Healthcare System, is an elegant, 129-apartment independent living community located on Gurwin’s 36-acre campus in Commack. The addition of Fountaingate Gardens completes Gurwin’s Life Plan Community vision of providing Long Islanders with independent living and assisted living options, short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing long-term care, memory care and other healthcare services — all on one campus.
Voted Long Island’s Best Senior Living Community, Fountaingate Gardens offers a vibrant lifestyle for independent active older adults, and is comprised of beautiful luxury apartment homes, a connected, state-of-the-art clubhouse and myriad wellness-focused amenities and programs. Unique among other senior living communities on Long Island, Fountaingate Gardens offers future financial and healthcare security, providing predictable monthly expenses and access to higher levels of healthcare if ever needed, on the same campus via the area’s expert in senior healthcare and living services, Gurwin Healthcare System. Learn more about our beautiful new community; call 631-715-2693.
