RHS Students to Attend All-County and All-State Music Festival

(October 2008) Eight students were chosen to attend the NYSCAME All-County Music Festival: Matt Suprina will attend as a member of the Band; Heather Kopp will perform with the All-County Orchestra; Colin Palmer, a tenor, will perform with the All-County Mixed Chorus; Cassidy Stress, Alto 1, will perform with the All-County Women's Chorus; Jessica Benitez, Soprano 2, will perform with the All-County Mixed Chorus; Ryan Beodeker, a bass, will perform with the All-County Mixed Chorus; Katie Blasl will be singing Soprano 1 in the All-County Women's Chorus and is an Alternate to the All-State Music Festival. RHS senior Anna Flores will sing Soprano1 in the All-County Women’s Chorus and has also been chosen to sing in the Women's Chorus at the All-State Music Festival.

In order to be eligible, students must have performed a Level VI solo at a NYSSMA Solo Festival last spring. The musical and technical requirements are at the highest level of difficulty and are evaluated and ranked by a certified NYSSMA adjudicator. Thousands of students auditioned for this honor and these students’ achievement represents mastery learning and a true pursuit of excellence!

"We're very proud of these students. Suffolk County's All-County competition is very strenuous. To be invited to All-County is an honor, and these students have proven themselves worthy of the honor by their almost perfect solo scores. The competition among the women's voices is especially difficult. They gave more girls the opportunity to attend All County by adding a Women's Chorus last year at the All-County level," stated David Loddengaard of the music department. "Sean O'Hara is to be commended for his hard work with the chorus."

The NYSCAME/SCMEA All-County High School Music Festival is scheduled for November 21st at 8:00 PM at Northport High School.

To be invited to All-State is the highest possible honor awarded for excellence and achievement in music in New York State. In order to be chosen, a student must rank among the top musicians in New York State! The All-State students will spend four days immersed in rehearsals with nationally renowned conductors. We are very proud of Anna who will sing Soprano 1 in the All-State Women's Chorus. This is Anna's second trip to All-State and her 6th year at All-County. We also want to congratulate Katie Blasl for qualifying as an Alternate at this very competitive level of performance. The NYSSMA All-State Conference will be held in Rochester, NY in December.

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