Stillwater Jr./Sr. High School students continue to excel in music, being selected for competitive area, regional and statewide groups and performances.
Congratulations to 19 middle school and nine high school students for being accepted into this year’s All County Choral Festival. A record number of Stillwater students – 28 in total – were selected and performed at Queensbury High School on Nov. 5.
“Our students performed music that they had rehearsed and worked on for more than four weeks, including after school and during the weekend of the festival,” said music teacher Kara Pitkin. “Four different groups performed at the festival: a grades 5-6 chorus, grades 7-9 mixed chorus, grades 9-12 treble chorus and grades 10-12 mixed chorus, and Stillwater was represented in all four groups.”
3 photos below: Grades 5-6 chorus
Photo below: Grades 7-9 mixed chorus
Photo below: Grades 10-12 mixed chorus
Photo below: Grades 9-12 treble chorus
Nurshinta Berry accepted into Area All State Chorus
Congratulations to Nurshinta Berry for being accepted into the Area All State Chorus this year. This exceptionally high-level chorus is made up of students from across the area, from Albany to Warrensburg. Students are accepted into this chorus based on their NYSSMA solo score from the previous school year.
“Nurshinta scored a 100 on a level 6 solo due to her hard work and dedication in singing and will be joining in on a wonderful musical experience Nov. 18 and 19,” Pitkin said. “She is rehearsing with fellow musicians to culminate with a concert at Saratoga High School on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. The concert is open to the public, so if you are looking for some wonderful and local music to listen to please stop by to listen!
“Our Stillwater music department congratulates Nurshinta on this great accomplishment!”
Josh Hoyt accepted into Festival Conference All State Mixed Chorus
Congratulations to Josh Hoyt. He has been accepted into the NYSSMA Festival Conference All State Mixed Chorus. “This prestigious chorus is made up of students from across New York state who join together in Rochester, N.Y., from December 1-4 for an astounding musical experience under conductor Derrick Fox, from the University of Nebraska,” Pitkin said.
“Josh received this honor due to his dedication to music and his countless hours preparing for and performing NYSSMA solos. Based on the exceptional score he received, a 100 on an All State NYSSMA solo in the 2021-2022 school year, he was selected to be a member of this choir.
“Last spring, more than 6,500 sophomores and juniors from across the state prepared for All-State evaluations in the hope of being selected. Due to the competitive nature, even if you receive a score of 100, that does not guarantee that you will be selected to participate!
“Josh will be spending four days – Dec. 1-4 – in Rochester at the NYSSMA All State Conference rehearsing with fellow musicians for the final performance on Sunday morning at the Eastman School of Music theater. This is an exceptional honor.
“Our Stillwater music department congratulates Josh. This is quite an honor!”
Students accepted into the Northeast Music Instrumental Festival
Congratulations to the following students for being accepted into the Northeast Instrumental Music Festival. They will perform in Lake George Nov. 17- 20:
- Alexis Baines, 11th Grade, Flute
- Jayce Eden, 9th Grade, Tenor Saxophone
- Broghan Feguer, 9th Grade, Trombone
- Dylan Izzo, 11th Grade, Trumpet
- Connor Julian, 12th Grade, Clarinet
- Morgan Kay, 11th Grade, Clarinet
- Sydney Martin, 10th Grade, Alto Saxophone
- Colden McDonagh, 10th Grade, Trumpet
- Joseph Spanswick, 11th Grade, Percussion
“We wish these students well and congratulate them, as they have earned their way into this high-performing festival,” said music teacher Jim Iacketta.