Twelve William Floyd High School students have been chosen as New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State musicians for 2024, an honor reserved for the top high school musicians in New York State! The NYSSMA All-State Festival is scheduled for December 5-8 at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music concert hall.
NYSSMA All-State students this year include Jackson Seifert in three categories: jazz bass trombone/instrumental jazz, trombone part I/symphonic band, and bass trombone/symphony orchestra; Joshua Crespo in two categories: alto saxophone part II/symphonic band, and baritone saxophone/symphonic band; Aisha Barrie, alto II/treble chorus; Thomas Betz, tenor I/mixed chorus; Kolton Chamberlain, tuba/symphonic band; and Colin Smith, bass II/mixed chorus.
Also selected for NYSSMA as alternates are Hannah Acero-Grant, French horn; Joseph Cabrera, bass II; Darren Ertola, snare drum; Jayden Lopez, bass II; Evan Schoefer, violin; and Jacob White, bass II.
The student musicians are instructed by William Floyd High School music teachers including Garry Helbock and Kim Hyland (band); Diane Brown-Hoppe and Sarah Weber (orchestra); and Donia Rivera and Michelle Seifert (choral).
The All-State bands, chorus, orchestra and jazz ensembles are honors groups made up of the top students from school music departments across the state. Students will have the opportunity to perform in NYSSMA concerts at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY, during the annual NYSSMA Winter Conference in early December.
“Congratulations to the students and their teachers on this tremendous honor,” said Dr. Amy Sckipp, coordinator of music, William Floyd School District. “These results are a testament to the entire music department from elementary school, middle school and through high school, who have provided encouragement and exceptional training along the way.”
Each spring, thousands of high school students from across the state compete for a limited number of positions available in the eight NYSSMA All-State ensembles: vocal jazz, instrumental jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, string orchestra, treble chorus, mixed chorus, symphonic band and symphony orchestra. Participation requires a perfect score on a Level VI NYSSMA solo. Judges compile a proficiency list of competing students at each NYSSMA festival around the state before inviting the top students on the proficiency list to the All-State Conference. Students chosen for NYSSMA All-State performing groups will have the opportunity to perform with some of the most recognized conductors in the country.