Every year, the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) holds festivals hosted at schools throughout New York. Students participate by playing music on their chosen instrument and are scored by judges. Oyster Bay-East Norwich students do very well at these festivals. In fact, last year the Vernon Intermediate Band earned a “Gold with Distinction” award at NYSSMA.
In recent years, Oyster Bay High School has sent two singers to All-State. This year, senior Erica Haguisan was chosen for All-State honors for her French horn playing.
At the NYSSMA festivals, students are given the opportunity to audition for All-State. Last year, 6,500 students auditioned. Students who achieved a score of 98 or above are recommended for All-State. Of those students recommended, 900 were chosen to participate in the All-State concerts at the 2014 NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester, which went from Dec. 4 through Dec. 7.
Haguisan has been practicing for four months to participate in the 2014 All-State Symphonic Band. She is also a member of the OBHS Wind Ensemble, the Chamber Singers and the High School Mixed Chorus. She was given the opportunity of a lifetime last spring when she played with the OBHS combined band at Carnegie Hall. She performed on the 80th floor of the Empire State Building with the Mixed Chorus last December. Watch for her performing in the winter concerts at Oyster Bay High School this December. She will be playing with the Wind Ensemble and singing with the Chamber Singers on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.
As a member of the OBHS Mixed Chorus, Haguisan will be performing in collaboration with the New York City Master Chorale on Dec. 19. The Mixed Chorus will be performing a set of music on their own and then will combine with the Master Chorale for a few pieces. It’s been a project that has been in the works since September. The assistant conductor of the chorale has come to OBHS to work with the students twice and will be coming one more time before the concert. The Mixed Chorus will rehearse with the Chorale on Dec. 10 at the Church of the Virgin Mary on 146 West 46 St. in Manhattan. The performance is at the same church on Dec.19 starting at 8 p.m.
Haguisan has also been invited to participate in the All-County Orchestra, which will perform at the Tilles Center in January.
She has been a member of the casts of the spring musical productions at Oyster Bay High School. This year OBHS will present Annie on March 20 through March 22.
Haguisan plans on studying music education at college next year. OBHS music teacher Matt Sisia said, “Erica is an amazing teacher.”
