William Floyd students named NYSSMA All-State musicians

Seven William Floyd High School student-musicians have been selected as All-State musicians by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), a prestigious honor reserved for the best student musicians in the state. The students had the opportunity to participate in the NYSSMA Virtual All-State concert in early April.

This year’s William Floyd High School NYSSMA All-State students are: Anthony Barone (double bass/orchestra); Emilia Brandimarte (alto I/chorus); Regan Kincaid (soprano/chorus); Benjamin Link (trumpet/cornet/orchestra); Ephrem Romao (tenor I/chorus); Raina Reid (alto II/chorus); and Briana Start (alto I/chorus).

Congratulations to the students, their teachers, Michael Cordaro, Garry Helbock, Barbara D’Orio, Donia Rivera, Christopher Shaughnessy, and Dr. Amy Mason Sckipp, as well as all the William Floyd music faculty who have been instrumental in their success along the way.

Every 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 or near-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. 

To view the concert, which premiered last week, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA7dLVER7AY.