Brandon Vassallo, a seventh grader at McGann-Mercy, will be representing the school - the first student ever to do so - in the Suffolk County Music Education' Association's all-county concert.

Vassallo, a percussionist, will play with other seventh and eighth graders ranging from Montauk to Central Islip at Longwood High School on March 11.

Vassallo has been playing drums since he was two years old, and at Longwood next month he'll play the snare, bass drum, and timpani. He performs in Mercy's Symphonic Band and the Jazz Ensemble.

Selection for participation in this concert is based upon the musician’s overall level of musicianship, hard work, dedication to the school’s music program and nomination by the student’s music instructor.