Webster CSD Student Musicians Selected for Regional and State Honors Ensembles

Webster CSD is proud to announce students who were selected to represent their school at the 2025 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Conference All-State Performing Ensembles, held December 4 - 7 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center and Eastman School of Music.
 

Seven Webster CSD high school musicians, plus three alternates, were selected from more than 5,700 auditions across 15 regions of the state. These talented performers are Webster Thomas students Danyl R. (symphony orchestra - violin), Dominick M. (mixed chorus - tenor 2), Ethan S. (mixed chorus - Bass 1, and alternate - French horn), Matthew W. (alternate - euphonium), and Luke F. (symphony orchestra - clarinet), and Webster Schroeder students Finn L. (mixed chorus - alto 1), Nate F. (jazz ensemble - trumpet), Lilah K. (mixed chorus - soprano 2), Steven L. (alternate - alto saxophone), and Vasilios K. (alternate - tenor 2).
 
Students auditioned for this honor at NYSSMA solo and ensemble festivals this past spring. Webster CSD is extremely proud of these musicians for earning one of the top 820 spots in NYS within these elite performing groups.
 

After three days of intensive collaborations and rehearsals, the groups performed inspiring concerts for the Greater Rochester community. The jazz ensemble concert, conducted by Ms. Ellen Rowe, was held at the Theatre at Innovation Square at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, while the mixed chorus, conducted by Dr. Brandon Boyd, and the symphony orchestra, conducted by Dr. Jeff Meyer, performed at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre. These guest conductors came from acclaimed universities around the county (University of Michigan, University of Missouri, Indiana University), with each regularly filling the role of performer, teacher, composer, and/or sought after clinician.
 
Webster CSD would also like to congratulate participants from around NYSSMA Zone 2 who gathered for engaging rehearsals and inspiring performances with the NYSSMA Area-All-State festival band, chorus, or orchestra this past November. Thirty-three Webster CSD students attended the NYSSMA Junior High Area All-State (grades 7-9), held at Webster Schroeder High School, which included participants from Spry Middle School, Willink Middle School, Webster Schroeder High School and Webster Thomas High School. Thirty-eight Webster CSD students attended the NYSSMA Senior High Area All-State (grades 10-12), held at Churchville-Chili CSD, which included participants from Webster Schroeder  and Webster Thomas high schools.
 
“It was our pleasure to host almost 350 musicians, representing 47 school districts and 129 music teachers, for the junior high festival.  I want to thank all Webster music staff, coordinators, and volunteers who spent time over several months to help make the festival a success,” said Michael Roller, Webster CSD Director of Fine Arts. “These opportunities are memorable long after the concert itself, with students taking the feeling of a shared rehearsal process and performance experience with them into their future. When students see they can combine their abilities with others from different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs to form a greater outcome for all, that becomes transformational.”