By Jacob Boldur
Selected students at New Hyde Park Memorial were able to display their passion and talent for music. Students Nathaniel Park and Clayton Yu participated in this year's New York All-State Band. Also, Cameron Conroy was selected as an alternate for the band. These impressive achievements prove the talent these students possess and will not go unnoticed around the community at New Hyde Park.
Source by Alvin Paul
Senior Nathaniel Park and junior Clayton Yu are among the best high school musicians in the state.
“The process of auditions started this past spring. NYSSMA holds many festivals in the spring for Solos/Group Performances of all kinds,” junior Clayton Yu said. “One of these festivals was specifically for All-State, with students playing Level 6 pieces (the most challenging as ranked by NYSSMA). My band teacher (Ms. Bagley) put together my application for All-State. After I got in, there were seating auditions for specific parts.”
All-State is an extremely competitive program as it only selects those among the most talented high-school musicians in New York. Approximately 600 students are chosen to participate in the band, chorus, orchestra, and jazz ensembles. The process begins with students preparing a level VI NYSSMA solo that is performed in front of an adjudicator. The adjudicator grades the solo out of 100, and chooses whether or not to recommend the student for All-State. After the recommendations, the process continues with selection committees made up of NYSSMA members from every zone in the state. The committee establishes a master proficiency list after reviewing various aspects of qualified students. Selected students and alternates are notified by mail and are asked to return acceptance forms.
The rehearsals and concert were held in Rochester from November 30 to December 3. Students that attended the program invested time and effort to make the concert a success.
“The students spent many hours in rehearsals with professional conductors which culminated in a concert held at Kodak Hall at the Eastman School of Music,” music chairperson Mr. Monat said.
“Enjoying All-State is an understatement for me,” senior Nathaniel Park said. “Of course, the many hours of rehearsals everyday was tiring mentally and physically (especially when your roommate snores so it's hard to sleep), but just being able to be part of such a high-level band where everyone there got in with hard work and dedication was an honor. It was mind blowing. Everyone was amazing at what they played and the musical chills I got from the emotions and beauty of the songs we played was the most I've ever experienced in my life. All-State was like going from an elementary school volleyball unit to playing with a national Olympic volleyball team, crazy amazing.”