Over 350 students, grades 9-12, from 40 area school districts participated in the festival. Students were chosen based on high scores from last year’s NYSSMA solo adjudications. All the students performed a Level 5 or Level 6 solo last spring and earned scores in the high 90’s or 100.
Area All-State Chorus
Performing with the Area All-State Chorus were Josie Diodato (soprano) and Amber Elk (soprano).
Area All-State Band
Performing with the Area All-State Band were Ashley Pechulis (flute) and Samuel Rhode (percussion).
Area All-State Orchestra
Performing with the Area All-State Orchestra were Lillian Rogers (violin), Nguyet-Vien Le (violin), Mukundan Thanigaivelan (violin), Sofia Callaghan (violin), Caitlin Tully (viola), Hailey Lotz (cello), Lucas Bomba (cello), and James Fuller (string bass).
The South Colonie School District and music program were well-represented at the festival, with several students earning top seating in their ensembles and solo opportunities.
Sopranos Amber Elk and Josie Diodato were granted solos in the chorus from approximately 30 students who auditioned. Violinist Lillian Rogers was the concertmaster of the orchestra, and Mukundan Thanigaivelan was seated first chair in the second violin section.
All South Colonie students performed admirably and were fine musical ambassadors for their school district.