On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Half Hollow Hills Library welcomed the return of the annual “A Force For Good Day” for a second year in a row. The John and Alice Coltrane Home partnered with the library to showcase the talents of eight exceptional student musicians from Long Island. Much like the year prior, the library lobby was set up with various community resource tables and networking opportunities. The Coltrane Home had its own table, providing an opportunity for visitors to learn about the ongoing restoration progress of the historic home in their community. In addition to the main event of the student performance, this year’s celebration featured a special panel discussion that emphasized the Coltrane’s lasting legacy in education.
The event kicked off at 1:30 PM with the panel discussion moderated by Barry Lites. Panel members included Terry Nigrelli, Michele Rosewoman, and Michelle Coltrane. The panelists talked about how the lives of John and Alice continue to empower students, encourage self-expression, and promote teamwork within classrooms and the surrounding community. The panel was followed by a Q&A session with Michelle Coltrane, which gave attendees a rare chance to speak directly to Alice Coltrane’s daughter. After the discussion, there was a brief intermission with refreshments before the student performance began at 3 PM.
The show opened with a screening of a short informational video from The Coltrane Home, followed by a PowerPoint presentation that informed the audience about the past, present, and future of the home. The student musicians were then introduced alongside the Coltrane Home Ensemble. The performance highlighted the mentorship between professional artists and student artists, uniting two different generations on stage together. The assemblage beautifully played a range of Coltrane-inspired songs to close out the second “A Force For Good Day.”
The community’s involvement at the second “A Force For Good Day” demonstrated the enduring impact of both John and Alice Coltrane in education. The panel explored how their influence continues to shape classrooms, while the student performances were an example of the Coltrane legacy in action. The music and stories of the Coltranes continue to teach important lessons in humility, compassion, and personal growth, inspiring students to be forces for good. Once its restoration is complete, the Coltrane Home in Dix Hills will carry on this sentiment, allowing students to learn and produce their own music in the family studio.
