The New York State School Music Association (known informally as NYSSMA) divides the state into 15 Zones, or areas, and they all host an Area All State festival in the fall. Area All State festivals give students an additional opportunity to participate in an advanced ensemble. Newburgh is a part of Zone 9, which includes 5 counties: Green, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan. 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 will be held November 22-23 at Suffern High School. Students are nominated by their music teacher in the fall, and a selection committee meets and reviews all of the nominations, and selects the participants in each of the ensembles. These ensembles include Mixed Choir, Treble Choir, Band, and Orchestra. It is my distinct pleasure and honor to recognize the 8 NFA students that qualified for this festival:
- Matthew Levinstein-Mixed Choir
- Sam Sukhai-Mixed Choir
- Antonio Perez-Mixed Choir
- Christian Rodriguez-Mixed Choir
- Alyssa Similton-Mixed Choir
- Brandon Latchman-Orchestra
- Hannah Cullen-Orchestra
- Shabab Islam-Orchestra
“Thank you so much to the performing arts scholars for all of their hard work in striving for this amazing accomplishment. Thank you, also, to Ms. Caci and Ms. Antonelli-Guido for all of their efforts in assisting the students in their goal”. – Lynda Keech –Director of Fine and Performing Arts
