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