New Venue Announced for NYSSMA Zone 15 Jr. High Area All-State Festival on November 1-2
From NYSSMA,
The NYSSMA Zone 15 Jr. High Area All-State Festival, a celebrated annual event, will take place on Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2, with a fresh new setting at Genesee Valley Central School. Festival Chairperson Alva Robbins, instrumental director at GVCS, is collaborating closely with ACSMA music educators leading the Honor Ensembles for the festival.
NYSSMA Zone 15 represents five counties—Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates—bringing together over 250 outstanding student musicians from 40 school districts. The festival will include two days of rigorous rehearsals, culminating in a public concert on Saturday, November 2, at 2 p.m. in the Genesee Valley Central School Auditorium.
Selection for an Area All-State Ensemble is highly competitive, beginning with students’ participation in the NYSSMA Solo Festival each spring. After preparing a solo, scales, and sight-reading from the NYSSMA Manual, students are evaluated by certified judges, with applications submitted in June. Being chosen for an Area All-State Ensemble is a significant honor for these young musicians.
The concert will open with the Jr. High Area All-State String Orchestra, conducted by Mrs. Nora Murnane-Robertson. Mrs. Robertson, an adjunct instructor at Buffalo State University, specializes in string techniques, music education, and student teacher supervision.
Following the orchestra, the Jr. High Area All-State Mixed Chorus will perform under the direction of Mr. Kent Knappenberger, accompanied by Mrs. Jessica Brown. Mr. Knappenberger, a veteran music educator at Westfield Academy and Central School, earned the inaugural Grammy Music Educator Award and has taught for over 36 years.
The festival will conclude with a performance by the Jr. High Area All-State Concert Band, led by Mr. Jared Burch. Mr. Burch, an instrumental music teacher at Pioneer Central School since 2002, is also a founding member of the Southern Tier Saxophone Quartet and has conducted the Pioneer Community Band for 22 years.
This event promises to be a showcase of the remarkable talent and dedication of student musicians from across NYSSMA Zone 15. The community is warmly invited to join us for this afternoon of music on November 2. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
