Eight NFA Scholars Perform at NYSSMA Area All State Festival

On November 22 and 23, eight students from NFA Main traveled to Suffern High School to attend the 2019 Area All State Music Festival.  Their journey began nearly six months earlier when they performed solo auditions at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) solo evaluation festival at Valley Central High School, competing against other student musicians in five counties (Orange, Ulster, Greene, Sullivan, and Rockland) for the right to perform in the Area All State Concert. Area All State festivals give students an additional opportunity to participate in an advanced ensemble. 637 students from our Zone 9 performed a solo last spring that could qualify them for selection to the Zone 9 Area All State festival, that was this November.  

In September, their teachers then submitted their names, scores, and recommendations to a selection committee for consideration against hundreds of other candidates. Sam Sukhai, Antonio Perez, Christian Rodriguez, Alyssa Similton, and Matthew Levinstein scored high enough on their vocal auditions to be accepted to the mixed chorus.  Brandon Latchman, Hannah Cullen, and Shabab Islam scored high enough on their string auditions to be accepted to the Symphony Orchestra. These students prepared music ahead of time and then rehearsed under the batons of noted conductors from Syracuse University and the University of Hartford, for nine hours over two days, culminating in a concert for family, friends, and teachers. 

Scholars who participated in Area All-State were prepared by and study under teachers Ms. Jillian Caci, Ms. Monica Antonelli-Guido, and Mr. Christopher Zoutis.

Story and photos provided by Ms. Jillian Caci.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!