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Thursday, June 17, 1971.
The surrounding dimness of the overhead lights helped cool the uncomfortably warm weather just outside the large auditorium. Me and my friend Albert were sitting in the third row from the rear of the room. A few minutes prior, Albert was absent-mindedly flipping through the Daily News newspaper, but he became focused after hearing my admission. "You've got to be some kind of a nut," he said while shaking his head. 
"I'm not kidding," I said abruptly. "This is the first time that I've ever cut class. Never had a reason to before. I mean, we're in school, we're supposed to be in class."
Albert went back to noisily flipping the pages. "We're going to be graduating in a few days. Nobody cares if you take a day or two off." Without turning my head, I could hear that others were filing into the rear doors. Albert was talking a little louder than I was comfortable with. If there was a way to dig a hole and hide in the floor between the seats, I would have. I felt torn. I knew it was ridiculous to argue about others hearing a conversation that I shouldn't be embarrassed but I was. I needed to say something.
Albert suddenly raised the paper barrier so I couldn't see his face. "Just seems weird that you didn't sneak out with Bunny in the last two years."
It was difficult not to hear Albert chuckling on the other side of the paper. I was happy that he was changing the subject and I happily followed his lead. As I answered him, I poked at the photo on the front page of some guy with a big grin on his face. "You know I've only been with Regina for about a year and half. I don't need to cut class to ..."
"Whoa, wait a minute," Albert said as if he had been startled. "Take a look at this article. It's got seniors from the school in it," he said. He folded the page and turned the paper in my direction so we could both read.
I first saw the Hotpoint washers and dryers prominently displayed on the right side of the page then my eyes fell on the title on the extreme left, NEWS MUSIC AWARDS GO TO 35 STUDENTS. "It's the All City High School Chorus and Orchestra," I said, reading hurriedly. "The Daily News put together scholarships for $5000 for students." "Let me see. Who is it?" Albert said as we suddenly found ourselves doing a tug-of-war to see the familiar names.
Recipients of scholarships from the $5000 grant from M&A:
The warning bell loudly sounded to let everyone know that the last class was over. It was suddenly imperative that we go to our next class. I quickly folded the paper and headed in the direction of the nearest rear door with my friend close by. We had formed an unspoken agreement. We had to share this information about these new-found celebrities with as many as possible.
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If you were unlucky enough to stay late after school at M&A on Tuesday, November 9, 1965, you might have gotten caught in the New York City blackout that started at 5:28 pm. This is Janis' story:  In November of our freshman year, 3 of us who travelled daily from Queens to M&A on the subway, were caught in the big blackout of 1965. We had taken a detour that day before getting on the train, to do a favor for a friend and classmate (who by the way, is now a well-known musician). Being already late, we decided to take the local train to the end of the line to avoid the mobbed subway cars on the express train to Queens. This made us even later, but we were able to get seats before the train filled up with rush hour commuters. When the train reached the Jackson Heights station, it stopped. The lights went out, except for those above the exit doors which are battery powered. This was not so unusual, but on this day, hours passed without the lights going back on or the train resuming its route. Nobody knew what was going on. We had seats and our bulky portfolios, but several older ladies were standing and visibly weary, so we gave up our seats to them and sat on our portfolios by the subway doors. After several more hours, some men appeared with lanterns and all of the passengers were instructed to follow them.  Because it was an express train, Jackson Heights was not a scheduled stop, but we were 2 tracks away and parallel to the platform. A plank had been placed from the train to the platform above the tracks which we were all expected to traverse in order to reach the station. The men held up the dim lanterns which barely lit the way. We were young and for us it was an adventure. After ascending the stairs, we arrived at a candy store and with 10 cents among the 3 of us, bought 2 candy bars which we split up 3 ways. When we got outside it was pitch dark except for the full, extraordinarily luminous moon. There were no street lights, traffic lights or lights from the houses and buildings. None of us knew where we were or how to get home from there. Buses were running, but they were so jam-packed with people, they passed right by the bus stops.  We stood shivering together, trying to decide what to do when a red sports car pulled up to the curb beside us. Upon rolling down the window, the woman on the passenger side told us they were 2 musicians trying to help people out by giving them rides. Having no real options, we decided to take them up on their offer. The 3 of us squeezed into the back of that little sports car with our big awkward portfolios and asked if they could take us to the bus terminal in Jamaica. Being musicians, they were delighted to know that we were students at M&A and drove us straight to the terminal. (My friend Jacqui swears to this day that the guy was Alice Cooper before he became well-known.) We arrived home around midnight that night to parents who were out of their minds with worry. That was our big M&A freshman year adventure. 
Precious Memories has finally been released and you have a choice. Similar to the first book, Precious Memories also has the heart-warming stories about the audition experience written by alumni of the High School of Music and Art . In addition, graduates have contributed photographs from their cherished time at M&A.
Precious Memories is available in the following versions:
Chose the one that's right for you.
Welcome back to The Castle
Everybody out of the water. Your time is up. Remember when seniors told you that there was a pool upstairs in the Castle? Well, for the time being, the pool is closed and so are submissions for the upcoming M&A book PRECIOUS MEMORIES.
Now comes the task of putting the stories and photos together so that the book can prepare to go to print. If you have any unforgettable photos or valued keepsakes that you'd still like to share, they will still be accepted but that's only for a short time so stop wading around in the pool. 
BTW. Rumors of a pool upstairs at the Castle are true. As of 2067, it can be found in the gymnasium.
Don't get caught in the deep end of the pool. There's still time to join in on the fun.
I'd like to thank all those who have already contributed their stories and photographs to the making of PRECIOUS MEMORIES - More Audition Stories from The High School of Music and Art. Remembering that special first day takes me back to the nervous excitement I felt and the joy of acceptance. Each touching story reminds me of how different and similar we all were. I feel honored to help share these memories and it seems like just yesterday that we were all hanging out at the Castle.
The deadline for submissions is Sunday, March 10th. There is still time to share your audition experiences and memorialize your time at Music and Art in a book that's available for friends, family and for your very own. For more information on how to submit your stories, just click the button.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Send your stories and photographs to: [email protected].
The cover art for the upcoming book is almost complete. Below is the first draft. The title is "PRECIOUS MEMORIES - More Stories from the High School of Music and Art." After going through the tribulations of the audition process, the teenager's pensive look of anticipation says it all. Submissions so far, span love for their art, audition preparation, the excitement of that irreplaceable moment of acceptance and exceptional and enduring relationships in written form and photo memories.  The deadline for handing in your heart-felt stories has been extended to Thursday, March 7th. Send your stories to [email protected], as soon as possible. To quicken the process, you may submit your story as a comment to this blog. Please include your email address. Make certain to add your year of graduation and your last name if it is different than what appears in the yearbook.
If you have any questions, contact me at [email protected] or check out:
Photographs are now being requested for the second audition stories book, which has officially been titled "PRECIOUS MEMORIES." It's understandable that none of us took pictures during our audition at Music & Art but if I'm wrong, that would be great. What is being sought is shots involving your time at M&A that you'd like to share. These photographs can either be sent along with your written experience or even by themselves.
Please forward all photographs to [email protected]. If it's easier to place it (or them) on Facebook or on this website, you can do so but again, send along the needed information.
Be part of a book, which memorializes the joyful beginning times of your Music and Art experience and beyond. I’m so happy that others still reflect as I do about the good times at the Castle, as if it were yesterday. Send your stories to: [email protected]. 
As a guide, answer the following questions: What prompted you to seek out M&A? What happened during the actual audition and how did you feel? How did you feel when you found out that you were accepted? Please forward any related additional experiences or photographs that you may wish to add.
Lastly: 1. State the year of your graduating class. 2. State your exact name that will be posted with the story. 3. If applicable, state your maiden or former name when you attended M&A. This is needed to verify your existence when you attended our school. 4. Your yearbook photograph will be used with your story. If you wish for another photograph to be used, please forward it to [email protected]
There's only a few weeks left so gather your notes and photos as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to adding your heart-warming story as a cornerstone of this even growing and shared project. M&A4EVER. Lloyd A. Green Founder of MyCastleTreasures.com
Submissions for Audition Stories Book 2 are rolling in. The inclusion of even more of the M&A experience guarantees that this new book will be an exciting addition to the first. There are only a few weeks left for submission. Send your story and other memories to [email protected].
The following is an example of a submission, which will appear in the book:
Paul-Anthony L. Magadia – Class of ‘79
And...the best part of it all - in my junior year, my musical theme was selected as a Finalist for the Empire State Games Songwriting Competition! Had I won 1st place, my composition would have been performed in an Olympics event in Albany for children with special needs as an opening anthem. The icing on the cake was when I was selected to be an Extra in Alan Parker's film FAME! My years and Music and Art High School were the best years of my life! Can you imagine doing what you love most every day?!!!
In addition, photos of memorabilia will be included. The excitement of being accepted to Music and Art was only the start of experiences which would help shape us for a life-time.
And for those who are interested in sharing more, other photos of your M&A experience will be included. Example: Paul-Anthony's participation in the movie, FAME.
There are only a few weeks left for submission. Send your story and other memories to [email protected].
AUDITION STORIES (Book 1) available at Amazon.com in paperback and ebook.
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Lloyd A. GreenM&A was a blessing, which is difficult to forget. Let's talk about the good times. 
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