Wellsville music program will lead weekend of student music showcase
From ACSMA,
You know spring is right around the corner when the Allegany County School Music Association (ACSMA) prepares to present the third and final All-County Honors Festival of the season. The ACSMA 2026 All-County Honors Festival #3 will take place March 20–21, hosted by Wellsville Central Middle/High School.
Wellsville music educators Jeff Joslyn (6–12 Band), Matthew Purks-Morris (5–12 Choir), Noah Luthart (5–12 Strings) and Tara Luthart (PreK-4 General Music & Beginning Band) are coordinating the festival and working together to create an inspiring and rewarding musical experience for students from across Allegany County.
More than 200 outstanding student musicians, representing every school district in the county, will gather in Wellsville for two days of intensive rehearsals beginning Friday, March 20. These talented students will work closely with guest conductors and local music educators before presenting two public concerts on Saturday, March 21, showcasing the dedication, musicianship, and collaborative spirit of Allegany County’s young performers.
Morning Concert – 11:00 AM
The ACSMA Sixth Grade All-County Honors Chorus will open the day under the direction of Edward Hennessey, PK–12 General and Choir Teacher, and Drama Club Director at Andover Central School, accompanied by Mrs. JoAnn Brown.
A Long Island native, Mr. Hennessey was deeply involved in choral, band, jazz, and theater programs while attending Westhampton Beach High School. His passion for choral music was further developed through participation in the New York State Summer School of the Arts School of Choral Studies at SUNY Fredonia, where he later earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education. Since moving to the region, Mr. Hennessey has remained active in community music and theater, performing with Olean Community Theatre and the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Association.
Afternoon Concert – 2:00 PM
The afternoon concert will begin with the Junior High ACSMA Scholarship winner, Jackson Barney, a ninth-grade student at Belfast Central School, performing the Stephen Sondheim favorite “Giants in the Sky” from Into the Woods. Jackson will be accompanied by Mrs. Marilee Olsen. He is the son of Jonathan and Trisha Barney.
The Junior High All-County Honors Chorus will then take the stage under the direction of Rebekah Brennan, accompanied by Mrs. Marilee Olsen. Mrs. Brennan is the PreK–12 General and Vocal Music Teacher at Belfast Central School. A graduate of Fillmore Central School and Houghton University, Mrs. Brennan has taught in Pennsylvania and New York and has directed numerous school ensembles including bands, choirs, worship teams, and musicals. She currently leads several vocal ensembles at Belfast Central School and remains active in regional community music organizations.
Next, Senior “Going On in Music” ACSMA Scholarship winner Preston Outman, a senior at Cuba-Rushford Central School, will perform “O Del Mio Dolce Ador” by Christoph Willibald von Gluck. Preston will be accompanied by Mrs. JoAnn Brown and is the son of Amanda and Scott Outman.
The festival will conclude with the ACSMA Senior High All-County Honors Band under the direction of Scott O’Dell. Mr. O’Dell earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master’s degree in Creativity Studies from Buffalo State College, where he researched creativity in musical improvisation. Over the course of a 30-year career, he has taught instrumental and classroom music in several New York school districts and currently teaches courses in Music Theory and the History of Rock and Roll for the Catholic Schools of Broome County. Mr. O’Dell is also an active adjudicator, composer, and member of the National Association for Music Education and NYSSMA.
Adding a special artistic touch to this year’s festival, Karson Weatherly, a ninth-grade student at Cuba-Rushford Central School, created the winning design selected for the 2026 ACSMA All-County Honors Festival apparel and concert program cover. Karson is the daughter of Alyssa Payne and Jesse Weatherly.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: Wellsville High School Auditorium
Concert Times:
• 11:00 AM – Sixth Grade All-County Honors Chorus
• 2:00 PM – Junior High Chorus & Senior High Band
Tickets (available at the door):
• Students & Seniors: $6
• Adults: $8
• Family: $20
(Immediate family only — up to two parents/guardians and three children.)
Attendees of the morning concert are encouraged to keep their programs for admission to the afternoon concert without purchasing an additional ticket.
The ACSMA All-County Festivals provide a unique opportunity to celebrate the talent, dedication, and hard work of student musicians and music educators throughout Allegany County. Community members are warmly invited to attend and support these outstanding young performers.
