Six WVHS musicians selected to All-State ensembles
Six Warwick Valley High School musicians aced their New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) solos and have been named to All-State ensembles. Two will perform at the 88th Annual NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference in Rochester, on December 5-8, and four were named as alternates.
Congratulations go to WVHS performing arts standouts Anthony Gomez (Jazz Choir) and Abigail Yurchuck (Treble Choir), as well as Shi Wu Lee (Concert Band alternate), Addison O’Donnell (Jazz Choir alternate), Conner Price (Jazz Choir alternate), and Olivia Samberg (Jazz Choir alternate).
This is a prestigious statewide honor for students who earn a perfect score on their NYSSMA solos. To put that in perspective for you, NYSSMA welcomes approximately 7,000 students annually to audition for five All-State performing ensembles, and just under 600 are selected to participate.
“It’s wonderful to work with the many talented and driven students who participate in our music and performing arts programs. It’s always such a joy to celebrate their accomplishments,” said WVHS music teacher Noreen Hanson. “What these six students have achieved is the result of more than talent, it comes from serious dedication and hours of time put into their craft. All of us in the music department are proud of them all!”
Anthony Gomez – Jazz Choir
Anthony got his start in music singing in a 5th grade school chorus in New York City. When he moved to Warwick, Anthony joined the WVMS band and chorus. Today, he is the first chair flutist in the WVHS Wind Ensemble. Anthony also sings in the Jazz Choir and Meistersingers and serves as president of the latter.
“I’m excited to go on the trip and expand my musical knowledge, learning things from a new conductor,” he said. “I would like to meet different people and maybe learn something new.”
Abigail Yurchuck – Treble Choir
Abigail has been on stage since 1st and 2nd grade, when she started performing at the Sugarloaf Performing Art Center. Her first role was playing Elsa in a Fairytale Village play, which is when she fell into her lifelong love of music. Abigail also plays piano and cello. She is a member of both the WVHS Treble Choir and Orchestra.
“It’s going to be fun just getting to know everybody [in Rochester] and getting to be around people who are as passionate about music as I am,” said Abigail. “It’s going to be a whole brand new, and really fun, experience.”
Shi Wu Lee – Concert Band alternate
Shi plays clarinet in the Wind Ensemble. He grew up surrounded by family friends who played instruments like the piano and violin. He started playing the clarinet in fourth grade. He also played soprano sax, alto sax and drums when he was in middle school but has since dropped them to focus on the clarinet.
“I’m pretty proud and happy that I even got to be an alternate because I feel like it’s still pretty big,” he said.
Addison O’Donnell – Jazz Choir alternate
Addison, a junior, has been in Meistersingers for two years (currently a social chair) and is in Jazz Choir. She performed Nat King Cole’s Nature Boy for her NYSSMA solo. She is also in Drama Club. She feels music is a stress reliever and a change of pace in her schedule. She started musically in fourth grade with a tryout for the drama club and also joined the orchestra that year.
“I was really excited because I’ve never tried singing or acting or dancing before,” she said. “And then I ended up getting the lead. So, I was like, ‘Oh, this is really fun.’ And then I’ve been doing chorus and music ever since.”
Conner Price – Jazz Choir alternate
Connor is a social chair of Meistersingers, vice president of Jazz Choir, secretary of Drama Club and plays viola in the Chamber Orchestra. He said he has been singing ever since he was young, and joined the fifth grade chorus with Elissa Maynard. When he got his first solo that year, his love for singing took off.
“I’m excited to be challenged by the music and excited to potentially meet new people,” he said.
Olivia Samberg – Jazz Choir alternate
Olivia is in Meistersingers (vice president), Jazz Choir (president) and Drama Club. She plays cello in the Chamber Orchestra, and also plays piano and guitar.
“I’ve been doing it since I was little. I don’t really remember starting, but growing up with my siblings, they both were into music, so I think I kind of just fell into it.”