Seven Huntington High School musicians and vocalists have been named All-State by the New York State School Music Association and chosen to perform with the “best of the best.”
The teenagers have been tapped for the NYSSMA All-State performing ensembles. A series of concerts would typically be held at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester in December, but the COVID-19 pandemic has relegated NYSSMA’s winter conference to a virtual format. Still, it is an exceptionally prestigious honor to be selected as All-State and participants are thrilled there will still be an opportunity to perform.
Huntington’s All-State performers include Sarah Biernacki (alto-2;mixed chorus), Chloe Buffone (soprano 1;treble chorus), Nicholas Danseglio (flute;symphonic band), Katherine Eichenberger (alto 2;treble chorus), Eliana Ng (flute;symphony orchestra and alternate for piccolo), Ella Siepel (viola;symphony orchestra) and Grace Wildermuth (double bass;symphony orchestra).
“Though this year’s NYSSMA All-State ensembles will look different, students once again from across New York will share their talents with us,” said Eric Reynolds, Huntington’s director of fine and performing arts. “Each year, our Huntington student musicians represent strongly and proudly and this year is no different. Undoubtedly, All-State students will miss the experience of performing on the Eastman Theatre stage. But, by being part of a group who will perform virtually for the first time in NYSSMA’s history, these students are pioneers and given the fresh opportunity to participate and perform in a true 21st century format. Congratulations to all seven All-State musicians and their high school music teachers.”
All of the Huntington performers were looking forward to traveling to Rochester, but the ongoing public health crisis made the gathering impossible to hold this year. So officials did the next best thing in their opinion.
“We remain incredibly proud of our student-musicians,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “This is yet another milestone accomplishment for these talented young people. No pandemic can take away from their passion and desire to perform. We look forward to what this year’s virtual All-State concert will bring.”
The teachers who have worked with the seven All-State honorees since elementary school are all proud of the teenagers.
“As someone who went to All-State last year, I was very disappointed when I found out that there was not going to be a conference this year,” Ms. Eichenberger said. “I’m grateful that NYSSMA has created a virtual option and I am excited to participate!”
Huntington High School has a tradition of sending a large contingent to the All-State conference each year.
“I’m so honored to be a part of the All-State mixed choir,” Ms. Biernacki said. “There are a limited amount of opportunities to perform in All-State, but also a limited amount of opportunities to sing during the pandemic and it will be so good to be able to perform with my peers once again.”
The All-State Festival includes only the very top musicians from across the entire state. 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 each spring. The top students on the proficiency list are then invited to attend the state conference. The competition is so intense that some students with perfect scores are not selected.
“Even though the situation is not ideal, I’m still very excited to be selected and take part in the event,” Mr. Danseglio said.
All seven Huntington High School All-State performers have been standouts in the district’s music program. They are each exquisitely talented in their own unique way.
“I’m so honored to be chosen for this year’s NYSSMA All State,” Ms. Wildermuth said. “I’m disappointed we can’t play with the other talented musicians in person, but I feel lucky to have performed with the string orchestra last year. It is such a fun and rewarding opportunity to make music on a higher level. I’m looking forward to the virtual experience they are planning for this year’s conference!”
Regardless of the performing format, the Huntington group is sure to impress everyone across the state. The teenagers are that good at what they do.
“I feel incredibly honored and also very surprised that I’ve been chosen to participate in NYSSMA All-State,” Ms. Siepel said. “It’s been a goal of mine for a long time and I worked hard to achieve it, so it feels really good to learn that I got in. While I’m disappointed that the virtual format this year won’t be comparable to playing in person with an orchestra of such talented musicians, I’m really glad that it’s still happening to some extent. I am so thankful to have this opportunity and I can’t wait to learn more about what the virtual format will include!”
Huntington High School students have proven to be remarkably resilient during the ongoing health pandemic and the All-State performers are no different.
“I’m so honored to be chosen for the All-State concert again this year,” Ms. Buffone said. “Last year’s concert was an experience I’ll never forget and although this year’s concert is being held virtually and will definitely be different, I’m still extremely excited to perform once again.”
This year’s All-State musicians and vocalists are proud to be carrying on Huntington High School’s awesome tradition.
“I am honored to be selected for the All-State Festival again,” Ms. Ng said. “It will be exciting to perform with the symphony orchestra this year. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities and inspiration that Huntington’s Music Department has given me.”
