All-State Music Conference Taps Six from Huntington
A stunning six Huntington High School students have been selected to participate in the 2009 New York State School Music Association conference scheduled for December 3-6 in Rochester. The selections put Huntington near the pinnacle of all New York music programs.
Huntington’s Lena Freed (double bass) and Kieran McCarthy Fell (flute) have been tapped for the All-State symphony orchestra, Ariel Wertheim (tenor I), Anna Harris (alto II) and Mary-Liz O’Neill (soprano II) were picked for the All-State mixed chorus and Evan McCann (tuba) was selected for the All-State symphonic band.
Kieran McCarthy Fell was also named an All-State alternate for piccolo and Mia Rienzo was picked as an alternate for flute.
“We are thrilled to have six All-State musicians and two alternates, which is the highest participation we have had during my tenure in Huntington,” said Joan R. Fretz, longtime district director of fine and performing arts. “They will represent our school in the most competitive and prestigious ensembles in the state.”
The selection process began last spring when 6,500 then sophomores and juniors auditioned at 43 sites spread across 15 regional geographic areas and continued into the summer with an analysis of application and performance materials.
Huntington music teacher Brian Stellato will chaperone the trip to Rochester. The teacher and students will join with others riding a bus to Rochester. The trip north has been organized by the Suffolk County Music Educators Association.
This will mark NYSSMA’s 74th winter conference in its long history. The first such conference was held in Ithaca in February 1934 in temperatures that dropped to 30 degrees below zero. This year’s conference will kick-off with a large concert at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
“Congratulations to our fabulous teachers who coach and inspire our talented students,” Mrs. Fretz said.
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