Superintendent’s Artist of the Week: Eamon Comiskey

Senior Eamon Comiskey has earned many honors for his excellence on the clarinet at Warwick Valley High School: All-State Symphonic Band, first chair Area All State and most recently first chair in the Hudson Valley Honors Band.

Those accomplishments, however,  are only part of the story. Eamon is a member of the prestigious Manhattan School of Music Precollege Philharmonic Orchestra and in the spring was chosen to perform at their Honors Recital. He also attended the Philadelphia International Music Festival in 2019 and 2021.

“Eamon’s musical talent is well beyond his years,” said WVHS music teacher Megan Shafer. “I cannot wait to see how far he goes with his musical journey.  I always tell him that one day I will be watching from the audience while he performs with a famous orchestra. His combination of hard work, musicality, positive personality and enthusiasm will allow him to not only succeed in music but with his peers as well.”

Eamon’s connection to the Manhattan School of Music started with his first private music teacher, David Dworkin, who taught at the school many years ago and performed on the clarinet with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra over 40 years.

“David Dworkin was a big inspiration for me,” said Eamon, who started taking lessons with Mr. Dworkin in fifth grade. “He brought so much positive energy and joy to music, and he always had ways for you to improve or things to think about.  And from his performing career, he had so many stories.”

Eamon started playing the clarinet in fourth grade at Sanfordville Elementary School. He said he was always drawn to the sound of the instrument. Now Eamon practices the clarinet for at least two hours a day. Every Saturday he travels to the Manhattan School of Music.

“The Manhattan School of Music is essentially like being a conservatory student for one day a week,” Eamon said. “I did a summer program there virtually during COVID, and through that I met my current teacher, Renee Rosen. She prepared me for the audition, and I got in, which was very exciting for me.”

Eamon plans to major in music in college and is in the process of applying to schools. His long-term plans are to become a music history researcher concentrating on early American music. Eamon, whose favorite subject is social studies, has always been very interested in American and world history.

“I love the way music blends tradition, like learning techniques that have been passed on for generations, with ingenuity and experimentation,” Eamon said. 

In addition to playing the clarinet in wind ensemble and concert band, Eamon is a member of the marching band. He’s also active in the National Honor Society, the Empty Bowls Club and the Interact Club. 

“Eamon is not only an exceptional musician, but an exceptional person all around,” Ms. Shafer said. He is always willing to offer his free time to help our students or myself.”