The RCS Music Department is excited to announce that two of its students have been selected to participate in the highly-competitive New York State Band Director Association (NYSBDA) 2021 Virtual Statewide Honor Ensembles.
George White (trumpet, grade 12) has been selected to the NYSBDA High School Honor Band, while Aidan White (alto saxophone, grade 11) has been selected to the Honor Jazz Ensemble. Additionally, Renee Rivers (flute, grade 11) is an alternate for the Honor Band.
Traditionally, the NYSBDA Honors Ensembles rehearse and perform together in Syracuse for a weekend in March but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been creatively redesigned in a virtual format to allow students to participate. The unique 2021 experience for the students will include small Zoom sessions with the ensemble conductors, guest college professors running sectionals, student workshops with guest clinicians, the creation of a multitrack video and audio performance production, and a concert watch party in March.
Students are selected on the basis of NYSSMA Solo scores and their participation in local honor ensembles such as All-County, Area All-State, and youth orchestra. Statewide, only 18 students were selected to play in the Jazz Ensemble while only 140 students were selected to the Band from an applicant pool of over 400. Congratulations to these student musicians on an exciting accomplishment!
***Special credit goes to the RCS Music Department staff for providing content and images for this important announcement.***
