草榴社区

The 草榴社区Music Department is proud to share that the eight high school students were selected for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Area All-State Music Festival Ensembles: 

 Grace Musante - Treble Chorus 

Edgar Ramirez - Mixed Chorus 

Sidney Hope - Treble Chorus 

Samaya Lassic - Treble Chorus 

Stephanie Romano - Mixed Chorus 

Layla Gil - Mixed Chorus 

Talia D'Addio - Mixed Chorus 

Aiden Baez - Symphony Orchestra 

 

Grace Musante was selected into two ensembles in he prestigious NYSSMA All-State Music Festival Ensembles, All State Mixed Chorus and All State Vocal Jazz (but ultimately had to choose one). Vocal Jazz only selects 24 students from the entire state to this distinguished performing group!

The students are under the musical guidance of Mr. TJ Swetz (Director of Choirs) and Ms. Monica Antonelli-Guido (Director of Orchestra) at Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus

The Area All-State band, orchestra, and chorus are open to students in grades ten through twelve. Students are selected for these groups based on their NYSSMA Solo adjudications from the previous school year. This audition is competitive - students are competing with students from Greene, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, and Rockland Counties. These five counties comprise what is called "Zone 9" in New York State.

All-State music ensembles are open only to high school juniors and seniors. Students are selected for the All-State band, orchestra, and chorus based on their NYSSMA Solo adjudication score from the previous year. The audition must be declared an “All-State” audition before the NYSSMA festival. Only students who receive 99% or 100% on the audition are considered for All-State. In some years, not even a score of 100% guaranteed selection into All-State! This audition process is the most competitive - students are competing with students across the entire state. Students who audition for this conference are of the highest caliber.

 

Information provided by NECSD Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Ms. Kristen Johnsen.