Nominations will open this Friday, October 24th. Nominations will be submitted at this link through your WCSMA teacher portal. The deadline to submit nominations is November 24, 2025.
To nominate a student:
➢ Click Nominate: All-County near the top left underneath the Teacher Dashboard heading.
➢ Select the division, ensemble, and the school building your student attends.
○ Elementary Division: Current Grades 4-6
○ Intermediate Division: Current Grades 7-9
➢ Enter the remaining fields for each student, including name, instrument, current grade in school, NYSSMA score from Spring 2025, and any comments about the student that can support your nomination.
○ Each nomination must include a scanned copy of the student’s 2025 NYSSMA sheet.
○ Incomplete applications will not be considered.
You will be notified of a release date for 2026 All-County acceptances after the nomination window closes. We plan for a fast turn around window so that music can be distributed before Winter Recess.
[/fusion_table]Rehearsal and Concert Dates
➢ All rehearsals and performances will all take place at White Plains High School
➢ Rehearsal 1 will be on February 11, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.) ○ Snow Date is February 12, 2026.
➢ Rehearsal 2 will be on March 3, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.) ○ Snow Date is March 5, 2026.
➢ The concert will be on Saturday March 7, 2026. ○ Arrival for students will be 4:45pm. We will rehearse from 5-7:00 pm, and the concert will begin at 7:30 pm.
○ The Snow Date is March 14, 2026.
○ Please note, the All County Orchestra & Chorus Concerts are also scheduled for 3/7, but at earlier times of the day.
Rehearsal and Concert Dates
➢ All rehearsals and performances will all take place at White Plains High School
➢ Rehearsal 1 will be on February 11, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.) ○ Snow Date is February 12, 2026.
➢ Rehearsal 2 will be on March 3, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.) ○ Snow Date is March 5, 2026.
➢ The concert will be on Saturday, March 7, 2026. ○ Arrival for students will be 4:45 pm. We will rehearse from 5-7:00 pm, and the concert will begin at 7:30 pm.
○ The Snow Date is March 14, 2026.
○ Please note, the All County Orchestra & Chorus Concerts are also scheduled for 3/7, but at earlier times of the day.
Rehearsal and Concert Dates
➢ All rehearsals and performances will all take place at White Plains High School
➢ Rehearsal 1 will be on February 11, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is February 12, 2026.
➢ Rehearsal 2 will be on March 3, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is March 5, 2026.
➢ The concert will be on March 7, 2026.
○ Pre-concert rehearsal for students will be at 9:00 am. The concert will begin at 11:30 am.
○ The Snow Date is March 14, 2026.
Rehearsal and Concert Dates
➢ All rehearsals and performances will all take place at White Plains High School
➢ Rehearsal 1 will be on February 11, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is February 12, 2026.
➢ Rehearsal 2 will be on March 3, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00-7:00 rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is March 5, 2026.
➢ The concert will be on March 7, 2026.
○ Pre-concert rehearsal for students will be 9:00 am. The concert will begin at 11:30 am.
○ The Snow Date is March 14, 2026.
Rehearsal and Concert Dates
➢ All rehearsals and performances will all take place at White Plains High School
➢ Rehearsal 1 will be on February 11, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is February 12, 2026.
➢ Rehearsal 2 will be on March 3, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is March 5, 2026.
➢ The concert will be on March 7, 2026.
○ 12:45 pm student arrival
○ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm dress rehearsal
○ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm concert
○ The Snow Date is March 14, 2026.
Rehearsal and Concert Dates
➢ All rehearsals and performances will all take place at White Plains High School
➢ Rehearsal 1 will be on February 11, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is February 12, 2026.
➢ Rehearsal 2 will be on March 3, 2026. (3:30 pm arrival, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm rehearsal.)
○ Snow Date is March 5, 2026.
➢ The concert will be on March 7, 2026.
○ 12:45 pm student arrival
○ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm dress rehearsal
○ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm concert
○ The Snow Date is March 14, 2026.
Elementary Band – Jessica Stein-Natale
Don Jessica Stein-Natale is a trumpet player and music educator from the Hudson Valley. She serves as the 4th–12th grade band director at Haldane Central School District, where she directs five student bands. In 2025 Jessica also became the instrumental music director for the Haldane Drama pit orchestra, leading professional and student musicians. Jessica is the Vice President of the Putnam County Music Educators Association and has held leadership positions as Band Chairperson for the Junior High All-County Festival and the Zone 10 NYSSMA Area All-State Festival.
As a performer, Jessica is a member of Westchester Symphonic Winds (Tarrytown, NY) and has played in numerous musical theater productions with organizations such as Brewster Theater Company, Marist College, and Yorktown Stage. She has performed at prestigious music festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, and has performed internationally with the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Jessica served as the apprentice conductor for Westchester Symphonic Winds during the 2022–2023 season and in 2024 she began her role as Assistant Conductor for WSW. Jessica has received additional conducting training through the Westchester Symphonic Winds-Music Educators of Bergen County Conducting Symposium, The Hartt School of Music Conducting Clinic (Glen Adsit), and Sleepy Hollow Conducting Clinic (Aaron Burgess – Ithaca College) . She holds a Master of Music from SUNY Purchase and a double Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance and music education from The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.
Intermediate Band – Dr. William J. Tonissen Jr.
Dr. William J. Tonissen Jr. serves as the Symphonic Band Director at White Plains High School in Westchester County, New York. His leadership has led the Bands to achieve consistent Gold Ratings at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Majors Festival. He also holds the position of Music Director for the Manhattan Summer Winds.
Dr. Tonissen’s international credentials include guest conducting engagements in the United States, Prague, and Budapest. He has also been invited to conduct the prestigious Pacific Symphony Orchestra Youth Wind Ensemble. In academia, he serves on the faculty as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Education at Lehman College.
Holding degrees in Music Education from the University of Michigan and Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also earned his doctorate, Dr. Tonissen’s research focuses on representation in music, student motivation in band ensembles, and innovative and immersive band methodologies and pedagogical practices. He has shared his insights at esteemed conferences such as the International Society for Music Education, The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Conference, the California All-State Music Education Conference, the Michigan Music Conference, and the NAfME Eastern Division Conference. His scholarly contributions include publications in the NYSSMA School Music News.
Elementary Chorus – Kate Smith
Kate Smith is a passionate and experienced music educator with more than 15 years of experience working with choirs. Since 2011, she has taught middle school chorus and general music and has led the theater program at H.C. Crittenden Middle School in Armonk, part of the Byram Hills School District. She also currently works with third through fifth grade singers in the Westchester Children’s Chorus.
Kate earned a Master of Arts in Music Education from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Her teaching is deeply influenced by Kodály methodology, folk dance, and the integration of movement into choral rehearsals and performances. Through this approach, she fosters creativity, cultural appreciation, and a strong sense of community and connection among her students.
An active member of Westchester County’s vibrant network of choral directors, Kate values collaboration and professional exchange, continually refining and strengthening her program. She is grateful for the support of her family and friends in all of her musical endeavors and is honored to make her All-County Chorus conducting debut alongside her own students here in Westchester.
Intermediate Chorus – Nick Sienkiewicz
Nick Sienkiewicz is a multi-hyphenate musician based in NYC, working at the intersection of conducting, composing, music directing, and performing. He currently serves as Artistic Director of the Lehigh Valley Chorale, Director of the Youth Pride Chorus, and Conducting Fellow with the Queer Urban Orchestra. His ensembles have appeared at Carnegie Hall, GALA Festival, and Miller Symphony Hall, collaborating with artists such as Scott Hoying.
Known for his dynamic and inspiring presence on the podium, Nick is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator, presenting at national and international conferences. His scholarship has been published in the Choral Journal and American Choral Review, and he currently serves as the Repertoire & Resources Co-Chair for Research for NY-ACDA and Interest Session Chair for the ACDA Eastern Region Conference.
As a music director, Nick is recognized for his expertise in ensemble vocals and keyboard programming. Regional credits include Pippin, Bonnie and Clyde, and Junie B. Jones, along with Off-Broadway credits including Still Standing and Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. He’s passionate about new work development, leading workshops for emerging musicals throughout NYC.
Nick is also a versatile performer, appearing in readings, Off-Off Broadway, and cabarets at venues like 54 Below. He teaches musical theatre at the New York Film Academy, blending a strong foundation in music theory with a deep commitment to building inclusive, community-centered artistry. He believes anyone can achieve greatness with passion and purpose.
Elementary Orchestra – Samuel Gelfer
Samuel Gelfer is a performer, educator, clinician, conductor, composer, and arranger from Brookhaven Hamlet on Long Island. He studied Music Education and Double Bass at SUNY Fredonia and received his Masters in Music from Stony Brook University. He teaches Orchestra in the Farmingdale school district and maintains a busy schedule of performing on Long Island and in New York City. With a background in traditional Celtic, Scandinavian, and American folk music, Sam brings these styles into the classroom through lessons on Fiddle tunes and improvisation. He has frequently appeared alongside his brother, bandmate, and fellow composer/educator Matt Gelfer, in schools across the Island and as a presenter at the NYSSMA All State conference.
Intermediate Orchestra – Jonathan Handman
Jonathan Handman is in his twenty-second year at Arlington High School, where he is the conductor of two symphony orchestras, Symphony and Philharmonia. Jonathan’s orchestras have performed at the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Winter and Summer Conferences multiple times, including December of 2024. In addition, Arlington’s Philharmonia Orchestra has been a two-time winner of the Public School Grand Champion Prize at ASTA and in 2021 performed at the Midwest Orchestra Clinic. His chamber ensembles from this program have performed at Lincoln Center, the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and received 3rd place in the St. Paul String Quartet Competition.
Jonathan is also co-founder and Artistic Director of the Stringendo Orchestra School. Under his direction, Vivace, Stringendo’s most advanced ensemble has garnered numerous awards including being a three time Grand Champion Orchestra at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival.
Prior to teaching in public school, one of Jonathan’s treasured experiences was spending a six-month residence in La Paz, Bolivia as a cellist in the Arka-Ira String Quartet, The Bolivian National Symphony, and Professor of Cello at the National Conservatory. His studies include The Eastman School of Music, The Oberlin Conservatory, and SUNY Fredonia. In his spare time, Jonathan is an avid runner who just completed the Boston Marathon for the first time in April, 2025. He currently resides in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. with his wife Kim and two sons, Jack and T.J..
Wednesday, February 11, rehearsal 4:00-7:00 PM (snow date Thursday, February 12) – White Plains HS
Tuesday, March 3 rehearsal 4:00-7:00 PM (snow date Thursday, March 5) – White Plains HS
Saturday, March 7 concert (snow date Saturday, March 14) – White Plains HS
9:00-11:00 AM reh, 11:30-12:30 PM concert – choruses
1:00-3:00 PM reh, 3:30-4:30 PM concert – orchestras
5:00-7:00 PM reh, 7:30-8:30 PM concert – bands
