From December 4th-7th, three Hendrick Hudson students attended the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State festival in Rochester. Junior Aydan Akhtar and Senior Alexandra Numeroff participated in the Mixed Choir, and Junior Addison Valentino was in the Treble Choir. This festival is extremely prestigious and requires a perfect score on the highest level of a NYSSMA solo – level 6. Out of 2,709 choir students who auditioned for All-State, only 344 got invited, along with 137 alternates.
This distinguished ensemble requires a lot of time commitment. During this festival, students rehearsed 12 hours each day under the direction of various renowned conductors, and then had a final performance at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Kodak Theater. The All-State festival is an important festival for talented musical students to have an opportunity to perform on a big stage with students all over New York. NYSSMA’s school news music editor Dan
Bilawsky says, “NYSSMA’s Winter Conference — an educational summit, firstrate concert series, music expo and family reunion rolled into one — is something to be treasured. Many may have taken it for granted prior to the pandemic, but the COVID pause and subsequent path toward its full return opened an avenue for reflection, to truly appreciate such a grand gathering on so many levels.”
The students that attended this festival look back very fondly on their experiences. Junior Addison Valentino says “I loved my experience at All-State. Getting to be surrounded by people who love everything about music was so encouraging. It was such a wonderful experience! I left with a new drive for music and performing with others.” Junior Aydan Akhtar echoes Valentino’s remarks, “All State was a fantastic experience! The audition process was very selective, and I was truly honoured to have been selected for All-State. It provided an opportunity to connect with other students and share our love for music, as well as singing challenging music that required experienced musical understanding and precision! I would definitely audition again nex
t year. Furthermore, I learned the importance of having a unified choir, especially when being attentive to the conductor for dynamics, consonant placement, expression, vowel shape, and intensity.”
Overall, All-State is an important and distinguished festival for young musicians all over the state to show their talent. The students get to work under renowned conductors, and perform in an acclaimed concert hall. These students are incredibly talented and represent the best of Hendrick Hudson’s music program.
