Good morning all,

Four more days! Yesterday’s rehearsals were very inspiring and our students are in a great position to have a wonderful performance this weekend. I have heard great feedback from members of each ensemble as to their experiences under the batons of such passionate and knowledgeable conductors. This whole experience reminds me why we go above and beyond to create these opportunities for our students. I know that each of you will see the passion your students bring back to your own programs on Monday. I believe this will have a lasting impact on our county.

Attached is the paperwork you should have picked up at the sign-in desk yesterday. The three attached documents are as follows:

Teacher Reminders

Student Reminders

Map of Concert Parking (Please note this is not the same House IV entrance as rehearsals 1&2)
**The map is on the second page of the student letter**

Additionally, you will be receiving more specific reminders from the ensemble chairs in the coming days. Please pass that information along to the students as quickly as possible.

Lastly, we need 4 volunteers for each concert to work ticketing (from 30 minutes prior to the concert until the start of the concert). We have the Google form information for chaperones, but would rather not assign duties. If you’re willing to help out, please email the corresponding chairperson(s) and let them know. If we don’t fill the slots by the end of the day on Friday, we will start reaching out to make sure those roles are covered.

Thanks so much for all of your efforts these past months, it is greatly appreciated by the AAS team, and by your students (even if they don’t say it!).

See you this weekend!

Best wishes,
Patrick

I just wanted to send a quick reminder concerning Wednesday’s rehearsal. These are general reminders, and you should look for ensemble-specific information pushed out by our fantastic ensemble chairs.

First, please remind students/parents/guardians about ordering tickets and recordings through the flyers provided in the previous emails and at our rehearsals. I will list the web addresses again at the bottom of this email.

Second, again, please instruct transportation to use the intersection of Braemar Ave and North Ave in their GPS to correctly navigate to the part of the New Rochelle campus that has access to the front of House IV. All participants should enter those doors between 3:30 and 3:50 pm.

Third, an update and another reminder about participation fees. I was unable to deposit the last batch on Friday and those will be deposited after work today, however, I am still missing payments/POs from several schools. Also, please don’t forget that if you have students who were activated as alternates the invoice on DaCapo would update to reflect your new total number of students. Please make sure to submit payment for those newly activated players.

Lastly, I wanted to thank you all again for such wonderful participation in the first rehearsal. Running sectionals and sharing of rehearsal time can be burdensome, but the festival would not be possible without all of your active participation. Thank you.

This week’s responsibilities are fewer for those who are chaperoning from each of your districts, but I will ask that we each spend some time in the rehearsal spaces (where possible… I saw the band room can get pretty tight!) so to be on hand in the event the chairpeople need a hand.

We are in the home stretch and I cannot wait to hear the finished product this weekend. See you on Wednesday!

Sincerely,

Patrick Murphy
AAS Coordinator

Ticketing: https://westchestercountyschoolmu.simpletix.com/

Recording: https://www.mciverrecording.com/2023AreaAllStates.html

Good Morning all,

We are one week away from our first rehearsal and the festival is starting to take shape! I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that their students’ $25 fee must be submitted in order to participate. You should print the teacher invoice from DaCapo and include it in the envelope along with the check(s). IF YOU HAVE HAD ALTERNATES ACTIVATED, your invoice was updated at the time of activation.

If you already had the check cut (and submitted) you will need to submit payment for the newly updated students.

Currently, all payments that have been received are updated on DaCapo. If you submitted a check that is short (meaning you had an alternate activated after you sent it) the comments should read “X students deposited on this date; 1 Student missing”.

Thanks, and I’ll see you all next Wednesday!

Sincerely,
Patrick Murphy
AAS Coordinator

Hello all,

We are now two weeks out from our first rehearsal and you have music in hand! This envelope
contains 3 different documents and enough copies for each of the sending teachers to have
their own. Additionally, if there is a listed director on DaCapo for your school district, an
additional copy is included for that person.

*Please ensure each sending teacher receives a copy of all 3 documents*

The three documents included are:
This letter (White)
Bus Drop off and Teacher Parking for rehearsals 1 and 2 (Pink)
Map of the Music Building (House IV) and large rehearsal rooms (White)

Lastly, I ask again that all sending teachers and chaperones fill out the Chaperone Google
Form. It’s extremely important to have an accurate accounting of the individuals who will be in
attendance and to know who we can reach out to if an emergency arises. Both the QR Code
and web address below will take you to the Google Form.

https://forms.gle/ycmFamS4sm7AGANv8

Looking forward to seeing you all at our first rehearsal on Wednesday, October 18th!

Sincerely,
Patrick Murphy
AAS Coordinator

Band – Dr. Armand Hall

Dr. Armand Hall is the Executive and Artistic Director of the ROCmusic Collaborative, an El Sistema-inspired program hosted by the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Hall comes to ROCmusic from the University of Memphis, where he was the Associate Director of Bands, where he conducted the Symphonic Band, taught courses in conducting and music education, advised music education students, and serves as advisor for Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha. He earned his Doctorate of Music Arts in wind conducting with education from the University of Michigan. Previously, Dr. Hall served as director of bands at Dunckel Middle School and assistant director of the North Farmington High School “Raider” Marching Band in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Dedicated to teaching, Dr. Hall is a teaching artist for the Archipelago Project, a non-profit organization charged with engaging students in the creation of music.

Symphony Orchestra – Nicole Peragine

Conductor and violist Nicole Peragine received her Bachelor of Music Education at the Crane School of Music and her Master of Music from the UNCG School of Music in Viola Performance. Her principal viola teachers include Dr. Shelly Tarampsh and Dr. Scott Rawls and her conducting teachers include Dr. Christopher Lanz, Dr. John Locke, and Dr. Douglas Bish.

During her years of study, she attended the Max Aronoff Viola Institute and Brevard Music Center. While at Crane, she was a Presidential Scholar Grant recipient for her work in curriculum design focused on injury-free performance. Ms. Peragine has performed with the Fayetteville Symphony, Carolina Philharmonic, Chappaqua Orchestra, and The Symphony of Westchester. Ms. Peragine is currently the Associate Principal Violist of the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra. She has served as an education writer for the North Carolina Symphony’s Friday Favorite concert series and regularly consults on music education projects. Ms. Peragine is currently the Associate Dean for Programs at the Music Conservatory of Westchester where she oversees program development and directs the orchestras. Currently, she is a doctoral student in the Ed.D. Program at John Hopkins Univerity with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership.

String Orchestra – Mary Ann Meade

Mary Ann Meade is a music educator, professional violinist, and conductor. Originally from Elmsford, New York, she has a long history with WCSMA as a student, parent, and teacher. Mary Ann is grateful for the many wonderful teachers who have guided her along her way, including Milton Williams, Alexander Stonehill, and Dr. Renato Vellutino – who encouraged her to pursue a career in music education.

Mary Ann Meade graduated from the Eastman School of Music, where she met her husband Michael. Together, they formed the Colden String Quartet which became the resident string quartet at Western Michigan University. Their ensemble was selected to perform on NPR’s acclaimed “Quartessence” series and was awarded several grants from the NEA.

Returning to Westchester with her young family, Mary Ann became concertmaster of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and the Chappaqua Chamber Orchestra. In 2012, she was a guest conductor for the Western Connecticut All-State Festival. Today, she serves as the assistant concertmaster of the Yonkers Philharmonic and concertmaster of the Putnam Chorale.

Mary Ann is honored to have met many wonderful students and families during her teaching career. She is thankful for the support and friendship of her many friends and colleagues at NYSSMA and WCSMA. Their service to keep our festivals running is truly incredible!

In her retirement, Mrs. Meade enjoys having more time for her music and being with her family.

Nullam faucibus purus est, ac maximus massa pharetra posuere. Sed porttitor quam eget odio rhoncus, quis commodo erat commodo.

Mixed Chorus – Dr. Cara Bernard

Cara Bernard is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Connecticut in the Neag School of Education, where she teaches courses in choral and elementary methods, curriculum, and supervises student teaching. Her research areas of interest include music teacher evaluation and policy, teacher education, choral music education, urban music education, and diversity and access. She is the co-author of the recently released book Teacher Evaluation in Music: A Guide for Teachers in the US, published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Bernard was a recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Council of Research in Music Education and the 2013 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award.

Treble Choir – Bishop Chantel Wright

Bishop Chanetel R. Wright is an internationally celebrated choir director and. the founder of Pneua Ministries International. Chantel established her own non-profit organization, Songs of Solomon: An Inspirational Ensemble, Inc. Almost immediately, Songs of Solomon flourished and was soon featured on major television networks and went on to win at competitions, oftentimes competing against adults. Being totally committed to the spiritual, intellectual, and artistic growth of today’s youth, Chantel knows that the only way to shape a generation of spirited, world-class musicians is to work in conjunction with the education system. She then went on to establish The Songs of Solomon Academy for the Arts – an organization that directly serves New York City students in leadership, instrumental, and vocal music appreciation. Chantel also lends her time to the vocal music department of the Steinhardt School of Music at the New York University since 2008. She has recently joined the Music Educators Workshop team at Carnegie Hall, giving music teachers inspiration through music. She continues to lend her efforts to lift students and music teachers through her work with Metropolitan Opera.

Band

Just a few reminders ahead of tomorrow’s rehearsal.  If you have a student who is not planning to attend or has been ill, please check in with them and then let me know ASAP so that we can fill in with alternates as needed.
Please make sure to ask students to bring a folding music stand.
 
Please make sure to ask students to bring a bag lunch/dinner.
Trumpet students should check their mute calls and prepare accordingly.
 
Music supplies are extremely limited.  I have issued nearly all available parts for Vulcan.  Students who forget their music will have to share with another student until I can order more.
I have contacted percussion students directly, but if you have not yet checked out that email, please do so before tomorrow.
Thanks!
Ricky

AREA ALL-STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

October 2023

Dear Area All-State Symphony Orchestra Member,

Congratulations on being accepted into this year’s Area All-State Symphony Orchestra. Based on your excellent NYSSMA score and recommendation from your teacher, you have been chosen to participate in what will be a musically memorable experience. Nicole Peragine, Associate Dean for Programs at Westchester Conservatory,  will be your conductor for this year.

2023 AAS Symphony Orchestra Program

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Danse Negre from African Suite

Edward Elgar: Nimrod from Enigma Variations

John Williams: The Cowboys Overture

Please prepare well for the rehearsals and concert. Find and listen to recordings. Your job as orchestral musicians is to learn the notes before rehearsals, so rehearsal time can be spent learning and putting together the music.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:

Music Stand (w/ name clearly marked on all parts)

All music and a pencil (parts will be delivered at the first rehearsal)

Required mutes, extra strings, reeds. Small percussion (triangles, tamb.), etc.

Dinner (for 10/18, and 11/1), and a snack if needed (11/4).

CONCERT DRESS:

Top: black button-down shirt, black blouse, or black dress

Bottom: black dress pants or black skirt (mid-calf length or longer)

Black shoes & socks

The times and dates are:

Wednesday, Oct. 18 Rehearsal 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm @ New Rochelle HS

Wednesday, Nov. 1 Rehearsal 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm @ New Rochelle HS

Saturday, Nov. 4 Rehearsal 2:30 PM @ New Rochelle HS

Saturday, Nov. 4 Performance 5:00 PM @ New Rochelle HS Auditorium

You are each integral an part of the whole and are needed at all times. Please note that no one is permitted to leave rehearsals early. Early leave takers, latecomers as well as students who fail to show up to a rehearsal will be expelled from the Festival…. no exceptions. Students cannot drive themselves to the rehearsals or the concert. The school district or the student’s parents must provide transportation. WCSMA will not assume responsibility for students who do not adhere to this rule.

You have been provided with original copies of the music. All music has been numbered and will be collected at the end of the concert. A charge of $10.00 per page will be charged for failure to hand in your assigned music (copy or original). Once again congratulations and good luck to you all! We look forward to meeting you on October 18.

AUDITIONS: There will be an audition for the position of concertmaster and seating among those violin students who received a NYSSMA score of Level 6 All-State 100. There will also be similar auditions for principal in any of the other string sections in which there are multiple numbers of students who received a score of Level 6 All-State 100. These auditions will take place at the first rehearsal on October 18. 

Thomas Bastone and Michael Maino

AAS Symphony Orchestra Chairpersons

SEATING AUDITIONS FOR AREA ALL-STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

THESE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST REHEARSAL ON OCTOBER 18:

VIOLIN

The Cowboys Overture

  • Pick-up to m. 31- m. 42
  • Pick-up to m. 160- m. 172

CELLO

The Cowboys Overture

  • M. 202-m. 211
  • Pick-up to m. 230-m. 242

AREA ALL-STATE STRING ORCHESTRA 

October 2023

Dear Area All-State String Orchestra Member,

Congratulations on being accepted into this year’s Area All-State String Orchestra. Based on your excellent NYSSMA score and recommendation from your teacher, you have been chosen to participate in what will be a musically memorable experience. Mary Ann Meade, retired orchestra director at Pleasantville High School, will be your conductor for this year.

2023 AAS String Orchestra Program

Shirl Jae Atwell: Drifen

Leoš Janáček: Suite for Strings

Please prepare well for the rehearsals and concert. Find and listen to recordings. Your job as orchestral musicians is to learn the notes before rehearsals, so rehearsal time can be spent learning and putting together the music.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:

Music Stand (w/ name clearly marked on all parts)

All music and a pencil (parts will be delivered at the first rehearsal)

Required mutes, extra strings, etc.

Dinner (for 10/18, and 11/1), and a snack if needed (11/4).

CONCERT DRESS:

Top: black button-down shirt, black blouse or black dress

Bottom: black dress pants or black skirt (mid-calf length or longer)

Black shoes & socks

The times and dates are:

Wednesday, Oct. 18 Rehearsal 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm @ New Rochelle HS

Wednesday, Nov. 1 Rehearsal 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm @ New Rochelle HS

Saturday, Nov. 4 Rehearsal 2:30 PM @ New Rochelle HS

Saturday, Nov. 4 Performance 5:00 PM @ New Rochelle HS Auditorium

You are each integral an part of the whole and are needed at all times. Please note that no one is permitted to leave rehearsals early. Early leave takers, latecomers as well as students who fail to show up to a rehearsal will be expelled from the Festival…. no exceptions. Students cannot drive themselves to the rehearsals or the concert. The school district or the student’s parents must provide transportation. WCSMA will not assume responsibility for students who do not adhere to this rule.

You have been provided with original copies of the music. All music has been numbered and will be collected at the end of the concert. A charge of $10.00 per page will be charged for failure to hand in your assigned music (copy or original). Once again congratulations and good luck to you all! We look forward to meeting you on October 18.

AUDITIONS: There will be an audition for the position of concertmaster and seating among those violin students who received a NYSSMA score of Level 6 All-State 100. There will also be similar auditions for principal in any of the other string sections in which there are multiple numbers of students who received a score of Level 6 All-State 100. These auditions will take place at the first rehearsal on October 18. 

Thomas Bastone and Lizbeth Burrow

AAS String Orchestra Chairpersons

SEATING AUDITIONS FOR AREA ALL-STATE STRING ORCHESTRA

THESE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST REHEARSAL ON OCTOBER 18

VIOLIN

Janáček  Suite 

Movement 1: M. 48- m. 66

Movement 2: M. 15- m. 21

CELLO

Janáček  Suite

Movement 1: M. 36- m. 49

Movement 5: M. 14- m. 27

MIXED CHOIR INFO

September 22, 2023

Dear Singers,
Congratulations on your selection to the 2023 NYSSMA Zone 11 Area All-State Mixed
Chorus!
Your conductor will be Dr. Cara Bernard, Associate Professor of Music Education at the
University of Connecticut in the Neag School of Education, where she teaches courses in
choral and elementary methods, curriculum, and supervises student teaching. Her
research areas of interest include music teacher evaluation and policy, teacher
education, choral music education, urban music education, and diversity and access.
She is the co-author of the recently released book Teacher Evaluation in Music: A Guide
for Teachers in the US, published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Bernard was a
recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Council of Research in
Music Education and the 2013 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award.
Enclosed are the five pieces you are singing. Please prepare them before the first
rehearsal.
All rehearsals, as well as the concert, will be held at New Rochelle High School. While I
am sure your teachers have communicated the rehearsal schedule to you multiple times,
I have included it below for your convenience:
● Rehearsal # 1 – Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 4:00 PM-9:00 PM (dinner break
6:00-7:00)
● Rehearsal # 2 – Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 4:00 PM-9:00 PM (dinner break
6:00-7:00)
● Rehearsal # 3 – Sunday, November 5, 2023, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
● Concert – Sunday, November 5, 2023, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Please remember that you must attend each of these rehearsals in their entirety to be
allowed to perform in the concert. This is a NYSSMA policy and we are not
allowed to grant exceptions, so make sure you block these dates off
completely in your schedule.
Definitely plan ahead for the dinner breaks held during the Wednesday rehearsals –
there won’t be food in the cafeteria for you to purchase during the dinner break, and we
cannot excuse you from rehearsal early to pick up a delivery. We strongly suggest
bringing a bagged dinner that does not need to be heated. While we assume you will

choose to use the 12:00-1:00 hour on concert day to get into concert attire, if you choose
to eat then, the same situation applies.
Concert attire is professional and dressy black, including footwear. Eliminating
sneakers, flip-flops, crocs, leggings, jeans, and t-shirts from consideration for your
concert day outfit is a good place to start.
You and your parents are probably eager for information regarding purchasing tickets
for the concert. We expect to have more details about tickets to share at the first
rehearsal!
We are confident that you will have a very positive experience working with Dr. Bernard,
and we can’t wait to see and hear your work together in rehearsal as well as your
performance. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask your teacher
to reach out to one of us.
See you on Wednesday, October 18 at 4:00 PM at New Rochelle High School!

All the best,

Mrs. Erica Denler and Ms. Emily Denler
Area All-State Mixed Choir Co-Chairs

TREBLE CHOIR INFO

October 3, 2023

Dear Singers,
Congratulations on your selection to the 2023 NYSSMA Zone 11 Area All-State Treble
Chorus! We are excited to have you join the group!
Your conductor will be Dr. Chantel Wright. An internationally celebrated choir director
and the founder of Pneuma Ministries International, Dr. Wright established her own
non-profit organization for youth, Songs of Solomon: An Inspirational Ensemble, Inc.,
which has been featured on major television networks and won at competitions. She
went on to establish The Songs of Solomon Academy for the Arts– an organization that
directly serves New York City students in leadership, instrumental, and vocal music
appreciation. Dr. Wright also lends her time to the vocal music department of the
Steinhardt School of Music at the New York University since 2008. She recently joined
the Music Educators Workshop team at Carnegie Hall, giving music teachers inspiration
through music. She continues to lend her efforts to lift students and music teachers
through her work with the Metropolitan Opera.
Enclosed are the five pieces you are singing. Please prepare them before the first
rehearsal. The pieces are:

● Gaudete, arranged by Michael Englehardt
● How Can I Keep From Singing, arranged by Sarah Quartel
● Ain’t No Grave Can Hold My Body Down, arranged by Paul Caldwell &
Sean Ivory
● Chapo Pou Fanm, by Sydney Guillaume
● Rise Up, arranged by Audrey Snyder

All rehearsals, as well as the concert, will be held at New Rochelle High School. While I
am sure your teachers have communicated the rehearsal schedule to you multiple times,
I have included it below for your convenience:
● Rehearsal # 1 – Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 4:00 PM-9:00 PM (dinner break
6:00-7:00)
● Rehearsal # 2 – Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 4:00 PM-9:00 PM (dinner break
6:00-7:00)
● Rehearsal # 3 – Sunday, November 5, 2023, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
● Concert – Sunday, November 5, 2023, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

Please remember that you must attend each of these rehearsals in their entirety to be
allowed to perform in the concert. This is a NYSSMA policy and we are not
allowed to grant exceptions, so make sure you block these dates off
completely in your schedule.
Definitely plan ahead for the dinner breaks held during the Wednesday rehearsals –
there won’t be food in the cafeteria for you to purchase during the dinner break, and we
cannot excuse you from rehearsal early to pick up a delivery. We strongly suggest
bringing a bagged dinner that does not need to be heated. While we assume you will
choose to use the 12:00-1:00 hour on concert day to get into concert attire, if you choose
to eat then, the same situation applies.
Concert attire is professional and dressy black, including socks and footwear.
Eliminating sneakers, flip-flops, crocs, leggings, jeans, and t-shirts from consideration
for your concert day outfit is a good place to start.
You and your parents are probably eager for information regarding purchasing tickets
for the concert. We expect to have more details about tickets to share at the first
rehearsal!
We are confident that you will have a positive experience working with Dr. Wright, and
we can’t wait to see and hear your work together in rehearsal as well as your
performance. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask your teacher
to reach out to one of us.
See you on Wednesday, October 18 at 4:00 PM at New Rochelle High School!

All the best,

Mrs. Andrea Stock and Mrs. Katie Chan Chee
Area All-State Treble Choir Co-Chairs

All rehearsals and performances will take place at New Rochelle HS

OCTOBER 18
Rehearsal #1
4:00 pm-9:00 pm

NOVEMBER 1
Rehearsal #2
4:00 pm-9:00 pm

NOVEMBER 4
Instrumental Concerts
10:00 BAND REHEARSAL
1:00 BAND CONCERT
&
2:30 ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL
5:00 ORCHESTRA CONCERT

NOVEMBER 5
Choral Concert
10:00 CHORUS REHEARSAL
1:00 CHORUS CONCERT

Drop-off for Linda E. Kelly Theater
and
Teacher Parking

REHEARSAL 10/18 and 11/1

 Map and Directions for Drop-off and Parking for rehearsals 1 and 2 can be found in the left-hand menu.

Also, please note the following instructions:

Buses should drop off in front of the Linda E. Kelly Theater entrance. Symphony students will be walked over to the Whitney where they will rehearse. Please aim for student drop-off to take place between 3:30 and 3:50 pm to avoid end-of-day traffic, and allow for students to be on time to rehearsal.

If busses need to stay at the site throughout the length of the rehearsal they can find parking in the parking lot by the Linda E Kelly Theater.

Teachers can park in the parking lot near the Linda Kelly Theatre.

If they can’t find parking, they should find parking on the nearby streets.

The end of the school day is 3:07 pm. The parking lot should be clearing out by 3:30 pm.

Directions to the LEK Theatre
at
New Rochelle High School

The Linda E. Kelly (aka LEK) is located in House 4 of New Rochelle High School.
Its mailing address is 265 Clove Road in New Rochelle but it is ONLY for mailing. You will be on the complete
opposite side of the very large high school if you follow directions to it.

Enter in on your maps to go to Braemar Ave & North Ave. You will want to go into the parking lot that is located
next to and behind the tennis courts.

The One-way drive around the building is for drop-off only. The entrance is located on the side nearest the pond.

AREA ALL-STATE TICKET INFO

Presented by WCSMA and NYSSMA

Tickets available at

https://westchestercountyschoolmu.simpletix.com/

CD/DVD RECORDING INFO

Download form here

AAS_Video_Information