15 Fox Lane Music Students to Play Area All-State Festival

Fifteen students from Fox Lane High School’s music department have been selected to perform at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Area All-State Festival this week.

“This year’s accepted number of students from Fox Lane High School doubled from that of 2022,” said Orchestra Director Janine Bergamini. “The acknowledgment of student achievement by Westchester County exhibits the growing strength of our department. I am very proud of our students for producing such a high level of performance to be included in these prestigious ensembles.”

Students were selected based on their outstanding ratings from the NYSSMA Solo Festival held last spring. Fox Lane musicians will perform at New Rochelle High School with students of the same level from other high schools across Westchester County.

“Area All-State is a professional environment to learn music at a higher level,” said senior choral and band student Amina Fiks. “I walked in feeling nervous but quickly realized that everyone radiated kindness and shared my love for music. It is also an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone with only three rehearsals before the concert. Area All-State requires a higher level of focus and effort than other musical environments for high schoolers and is still a fun experience to grow as a musician and person.”

Cami Bly, a senior orchestra student echoed Amina’s sentiments about the experience.

“Area All-State is an honor,” she said. “Not only do all musicians in the ensemble care deeply about their instruments and play at an extremely high level, but they are all very supportive and collaborative, and I am grateful and excited to be a part of that.”

Congratulations to the students who will represent Fox Lane High School in performing ensembles:

• Cameron Bly, cello
• Jordan Brown, cello
• Emma Chang, violin
• Amina Fiks, alto
• Samuel Griff, cello
• Lilliana Kimble, violin
• Hailey Kraljevic, alto
• David Matz, bass
• Michael Mazurek, bass
• Xavier Santos, clarinet
• Cole Simon, clarinet
• Ella Stark, flute alternate
• Madeleine Stone, alto
• Jon Torre, tuba
• Meghana Uday, alto

And congratulations to their teachers who have worked with them to achieve this impressive level of success:

• Janine Bergamini: Conductor, Concert and Chamber Orchestra
• Kevin Larsen: Conductor, Chamber Choir
• Dr. Sarah Matthews: Conductor, Symphonic Band