All-State and All-County Music

(October 2006) The RHS students selected to attend All-State and All-County Music Festivals were recently announced.

Six students have been chosen to attend the NYSCAME All-County Music Festival: Alice Falcone (All-County Women's Chorus), Jeffrey Osarczuk (NYSSMA All-State Festival Band and All-County Band), Lauren Rowland (All-County Women's Chorus), Thomas Kozakiewicz (All-County Mixed Chorus), Ryan Abrahamsen (All-County Mixed Chorus) and Justin Camp (All-County Orchestra)

One student from RHS was selected to attend All-State this year: Jeffrey Osarczuk. Jeff is a sax player and a member of the band and jazz band.

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've given more girls the opportunity to attend All County this year by adding a Women's Chorus at the All-County level," stated David Loddengaard of the music department. "It's also exciting to have a sax player make All-State Band--the sax is a very competitive instrument."

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 that Jeff will represent our school at the NYSSMA All-State Conference in Rochester, NY in December.