“Going to the NYSSMA solo festival allows students in our district to be surrounded by their peers who share a similar fervor for music and to receive feedback on their musical growth as they continue to hone their skills.” “Being selected to perform at the All-State festival is a great honor and recognition of these students’ hard work, which we are fortunate enough to see during performances at our school,” said Micah Sprague. “Music is so important in my life and I love the opportunity to create music,” he said. Luciano, who is a captain of the SHHS Pep Band, said that he loves to explore different genres of music but that Spanish music, which celebrates his Argentiain heritage, is his passion. Scores at the festival make them eligible for honor’s ensembles around the region. Students recorded solo performances that were reviewed remotely by NYSSMA adjudicators. Eighty-six students in grades 1-12 participated in the solo festival which was held virtually. Jaden and Sam, who were selected for Mixed Chorus and the Jazz Band, respectively, were chosen based on their outstanding scores at last spring’s NYSSMA solo festival. Jaden and Sam will represent Sleepy Hollow in the ensembles with 600 of the best 11th and 12th grade musicians from around New York State.
The four SHHS seniors will travel to the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester in early December for the performances and showcase. The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns congratulate Jaden Velez and Samuel Leviatin for being selected to perform in the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) All-State Ensembles, as well as Austin Chin and Luciano Lopez-Parnetti for having their original compositions selected to be performed at this year’s NYSSMA Electronic Music Showcase.