48 Musicians Participate in NYSCAME/SCMEA

Emily Winston, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Ward Melville musicians participated during this year’s NYSCAME/SCMEA (New York State Council of Administrators for Music Education) festival. The festival consisted of four performance groups: Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Women’s Choir, and Mixed Choir, and featured 48 eleventh and twelfth graders from Ward Melville High School. Selection into the festival was dependent upon last year’s NYSSMA score and teacher’s recommendations.

Guest conductors hailing from the New England area led the four groups. Yoichi Udagawa conducted an “All Russian” themed program for the Symphony Orchestra, featuring Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Borodin’s Eine Steppenskizze (In The Steppes of Central Asia), and Tchaikovsky’s Finale from his fourth symphony. Timothy Topolewski led the All-County Band as they played Bach’s Chorale in C minor, Reed’s Othello, a symphonic Portrait in Five scence, and Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea. The Mixed Chorus, conducted by Tucker Biddlecombe, sang Zadok the Priest, Tourdion, Va Pensiero, The Peace of Wild Things, Luminescence, and Nyon Nyon. The Women’s Chorus shared Travelin’ Home, This Little Babe, And Suddenly, Laudamus te, and High Flight, under the direction of Derrick Fox.

In preparation for the concert, musicians attended long rehearsals on November 12 at Connetquot High School, and on November 20 and November 21 at Half Hollow Hills East High School. After a four-hour morning rehearsal, the All County musicians showcased their talents at Half Hollow Hills East High School on Friday, November 21.

Selection into NYSCAME is an esteemed honor. The Ward Melville community is proud of the instrumentalists and vocalists who represented our school at this year’s festival.