Musicians From Half Hollow Hills Selected For NYSSMA All-State

The New York State Music Association has made its selection of students who will participate in the 2019 NYSSMA Conference All-State music groups, and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is very proud to count eight of its students as All-State musicians chosen to take part in this year’s Winter Conference. An additional eight student musicians from the district were selected as alternates, and may be chosen to fill any openings in the performances.

Students chosen from Half Hollow Hills are:

• Danielle Albrecht, Soprano II, Mixed Chorus, High School East

• Sara Ju, Flute, Symphony Orchestra, High School West

• Dylan Landman, Bass II, Mixed Chorus, High School East

• Lindsay Lao, Soprano II, Mixed Chorus, High School East

• Brook Morrell, Viola, Symphony Orchestra, High School West

• Adrian Otero, Tenor I, Mixed Chorus, High School West

• Alexandra Perticone, Alto II, Mixed Chorus, High School East

• Jordan Rivas, Tuba, Symphonic Band, High School East

These students were chosen out of the over 6,500 students who auditioned for this honor at solo and ensemble festivals throughout New York State last spring. Over 3,000 students received scores of 98 or higher and were recommended for All-State consideration. The 902 musicians selected as All-State will be performing at the NYSSMA Winter Conference, which takes place December 5 through December 8, 2019, in Rochester, New York.

The alternates from Half Hollow Hills are High School West’s Sabrina Ellis, Donna Kim and Sophia Vespoli; and from High School East are Justin Frank, Jonathan Jackson, Kathleen Tan, Rachel Wu and Tong Ye.

“We are very proud of these students and their accomplishments,’’ said Dr. Darlene Lilla, the director of fine arts in Half Hollow Hills. “The hard work and dedication demanded by their craft is evident. They will be excellent representatives of our music department.’’

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of almost 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. The district is committed to providing all students with opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.