Five highly talented musicians from North and South High Schools have been selected for the prestigious and extremely competitive 2017 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Conference, which will be held in Rochester from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.
In addition, eight South High students were named alternates for the event.
North High School All-State music students are Isabel Yang (violin, String Orchestra) and Omeed Tartak (euphonium, Wind Ensemble). This is the second year in a row that Yang has been selected for All-State. She and Tartak are taught by Joseph Rutkowski, instrumental music teacher. Dr. Pamela Levy is the Fine & Performing Arts Department head.
South High All-State music students are Michelle Xing (bassoon, Symphonic Band), Eric Yang (clarinet, Symphonic Band) and Asia Zhang (violin, Symphony Orchestra). This is the second year in a row that Zhang has been accepted for All-State. Alternates are Deep Datta (violin), Susan Fendt (soprano II), Anderson Gu (alto saxophone), Emily Huh (flute), Nicholas Langel (cello), Haylie Lempert (alto II), Samuel Levine (flute) and Fiona Lyngstad-Hughes (soprano II). These South High students are taught by Michael Schwartz, performing arts department head/instrumental music teacher; Mark Boschen, band teacher; and Dr. Janine Robinson, vocal music teacher.
At the All-State Conference, sponsored by NYSSMA, the state’s finest student musicians will perform together in various ensembles. Thousands of students auditioned for this competition last spring at solo and ensemble festivals throughout the state.
