2025-2026 FESTIVAL EVENTS

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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!
On Thursday, May 1st, State Senator @shelleybmayer and County Executive @kenjenkinsny will be recognizing every @nyssma_official All-State student from Westchester County! This event is open to the public. Details are below: Thursday, May 1 3:30pm-5:00pm Westchester County Center (Little Theater) 198 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10601 For those students who wish to perform, please check in with your teacher regarding the Google Drive of sheet music. Please bring a music stand! Thank you to teacher Dr. Anthony Maceli (Valhalla) for organizing this event!
*Teachers, check your email for the full scholarship application!* It's time for the 2nd annual Padt Presidents scholarship, open to 12th grade students who will be majoring in music education at an accredited college. This scholarship has been inspired by the contributions of our WCSMA past Presidents over the decades, as well as the necessity to assist the next generation of teachers and leaders in the field of music education. We are asking that you distribute this scholarship application to your students who have indicated a desire to become music educators. In order for an application to be complete, we require: 1) Application cover page (emailed) 2) A student essay of no less than 500 words describing their career goals and how they hope to make a positive impact in the world of music education. 3) A written teacher recommendation letter. 4) 2-3 minute video of your student performing on their primary instrument. This video must be continuous and unedited. All required materials must be sent to Jon Riss at rissj@hohschools.org. Applications are due May 6, 2025 One scholarship will be awarded in late May in the amount of $1,000. “We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours.” - John of Salisbury
*Teachers, please check your email for the full application* The Westchester County School Music Association, in tribute to their exemplary service and character, has elected to name its annual scholarship in memory of Helen and Milton A. Williams. Once again, WCSMA is offering two (2) $500 scholarships for students in the county. These scholarships are available for students entering grades 10, 11 and 12 in the 2025-2026 school year, and must be used for summer study in music. The criteria are as follows: ● Student must be a good school citizen. ● Student must demonstrate outstanding musicianship and leadership. ● Student’s school music teacher must be a member of the Westchester County School Music Association in good standing. ● Student must be an active participant in WCSMA and/or NYSSMA events, such as the WCSMA All-County, Area All-State, or NYSSMA solo festivals. Please submit the following along with the application for consideration: ● A music teacher recommendation, stating why the student is deserving of such a scholarship. ● A student essay of at least 250 words stating how the student will use this scholarship to enhance their own musicianship and how it will enhance their school community. *Students who have already received this scholarship will not be considered in consecutive years. Applications, along with supporting documents must be e-mailed no later than May 6th . All recommendations from school/private music teachers must be e-mailed. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The application should be scanned and sent via e-mail to rissj@hohschools.org.

March 5, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Happy Music in Our Schools Month®!!

There are many people to thank for their incredible work for music education this year in Westchester County even though we are barely into 2025.  I want to highlight Kim Dunkin and Matt Royal, who were present in Albany this past Monday to advocate for music education with New York State Senators and Assemblymembers who represent Westchester County.

If you are feeling inspired to join these many wonderful volunteers to advocate for music education in Westchester County, I strongly encourage you to apply for a position on our board.  President-Elect Kathleen Feldman has reached out to the membership about the positions up for election this year.  If you have any questions about any of the positions, feel free to reach out!  I would like to highlight two of these positions: Hospitality Coordinator and Government Relations Coordinator.  The board voted in 2023 to reinstate the Hospitality Coordinator position which had been vacant for some time previously.  We received no applicants for that position that year, and would like to encourage applications this year – you’ll have plenty of help from those of us on the board who love to plan events, and imagine how popular you’ll be if you’re responsible for implementing the delivery of delicious food to WCSMA events! Additionally, at our February meeting, the board voted to add a Government Relations Coordinator position to the board.  This position, which involves frequent public advocacy for music education, is one that we anticipate being vital in the immediate future.

Finally in the spirit of thanks – while we can never hear this often enough from our children, families, administrators, and colleagues – thank you for all you do for your students socially and emotionally just by providing a music classroom for them.  They need it more than ever, and they and we are much richer in spirit because of it!

Cheers,

Jon Riss, President