2025-2026 FESTIVAL EVENTS

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It was a night for celebration at our WCSMA Retirement/End-of-Year dinner! Last night, we honored two of our retirees: Andrew Sussman (@mamaroneck_public_schools) and Laura Lee Spence (@oufsd), as well as two Administrators of the Year: Gary West (White Plains) and Matthew Lucero (@csd_new_rochelle). We also honored our student scholarship recipients. Bassist Samba Seck (@mamkmusic) and euphoniumist Kevin Barrios (@portchesterufsd) are this year’s recipients of the Past President’s Scholarship, awarded to seniors who are majoring in music next year. Samba will be attending the @universityatbuffaloand Kevin will be attending @uconn, both majoring in Music Education. The newly renamed Milton and Helen Williams Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a music program over the summer to further their studies. This year’s recipients are flutist Benji Ferris (@harrisonschoolsny), attending the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy (@icsma); trombonist Ben Belknap (@pleasantvillenyschools), attending @berkleecollege; cellist Ty Sanford (@katlewschools), attending @charles_ives_music_festival. Thank you to @samsgedneyway for another beautiful event!
Congratulations to Matt Lucero (@creativenewro @csd_new_rochelle) and Gary West (@wptigerpride) on being named WCSMA 2025 Administrators of the Year! We are so appreciate of all their dedication and commitment to hosting our All-County and @nyssma_official Area All-State festivals these past few years. We look forward to honoring then next month at our WCSMA end-of-year dinner!
Congratulations to the eleven WCSMA school districts who were awarded the honor of Best Communities in Music Education by the @nammfoundation. Now in its 25th year, this designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, districts must answer detailed questions about their district’s funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. Congratulations to: Bedford Byram Hills Harrison Hendrick Hudson Irvington Mt. Pleasant Ossining Port Chester Rye City Somers Tarrytown @bcsdny @byramhills @bhcsd_finearts @hcsdarts @henhudmusic @henhudschools @irvingtonufsd @mtpleasantcsd @oufsd, @ossiningarts @portchesterufsd, @pchsorchestra @ryecityschooldistrict @somersschoolstuskers @ufsdtarrytowns
The end of the school year is fast approaching and so is our WCSMA End of Year/Retirement Dinner! We are so excited to celebrate our retirees and award recipients on June 16 at 6:00 PM at @samsgedneyway in White Plains! Event Pricing: Retirees plus one guest - Complimentary WCSMA members - $35 Non-WCSMA members - $60 Dinner, dessert, soft drinks, coffee/tea are included *There will be a cash bar Payments should be mailed in advance, (check payable to WCSMA): Ricky Myint - WCSMA Treasurer Somers Intermediate School 240 Route 202 Somers, NY 10589
This week, 67 Westchester students were honored by both the county and state for their acceptance into the @nyssma_official All-State ensembles and showcases. Approximately 7000 students auditions for these ensembles and this acceptance is a testament to the students' dedication to and passion for their musicianship. State Senator @shelleybmayer and County Executive @kenjenkinsny had beautiful remarks about the students achievement, and the importance of arts education in all schools. @westchesterlegislators members Ben Boykin and @legerikapierce attended the ceremony for the second year in a row. The ceremony began with opening remarks by Dr. Tony Maceli (Valhalla), who organized the ceremony, and Mr. Austin Day (Tarrytown). Mr. Day was the honored guest who spoke of the joy of music-making and the "talent to practice." This past December, Mr. Day was the recipient of the 2024 NYSSMA Music Education Innovation Award. NYSSMA President Edmund Chiarello and Immediate Past-President Russ Faunce were also in attendance to share in the celebration. NYSSMA Zone Representative Kimberly Dunkin and WCSMA President Jon Riss were also present to congratulate students on their accomplishment. The ceremony began with a jazz combo featuring Dexter Scheller, Henry Scheller, and Nico Mayor from Sleepy Hollow HS, and culminated with a casual performance of Bill Withers' Lean on Me. Congratulations to all students, their families, and teachers!

May 23, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

 I hope your concert seasons are going well and you are looking forward to Memorial Day weekend!  I am writing with news about our Administrators of the Year and All-County 2026.

The WCSMA Board voted unanimously at our last meeting to revive our Administrator of the Year award.  The Board also voted unanimously to give this award this year to two recipients:  Matt Lucero, Director of PreK-12 Visual and Performing Arts in the City School District of New Rochelle; and Gary West, Director of Fine Arts in the White Plains City School District. 

Matt and Gary, along with their school districts, have graciously hosted WCSMA and NYSSMA festivals over many years. Everyone is always greeted with a smile and a sincere desire to positively impact the students, teachers, and parents who have come into their facilities.  We look forward to celebrating them, our student scholarship recipients, and our retirees on June 16.

 Speaking of All-County, we are pleased to share with you the dates and location for next year’s Elementary and Intermediate All-County Festival. 

  • February 11 rehearsal (snow date February 12)
  • March 3 rehearsal (snow date March 5)
  • March 7 concert (snow date March 14)

 All rehearsals and performances will take place at White Plains High School.

We hope to confirm precise times before the start of the 2025-26 school year.  Please note that there will be three concerts on Saturday, and it is strongly recommended that families hold the entire day.

 I look forward to seeing you at the end-of-year dinner on June 16!  Don’t forget to RSVP.

 Sincerely,

Jon Riss, President