East Islip Earns 13 All-State Musician Nods

EAST ISLIP, NY - East Islip High School earned All-State recognition by the New York State School Music Association for 13 student-musicians this year.

At this year’s All-State Music Conference, Alexandra Bertolini (soprano), Emily DaSilva (soprano), Karina Gallagher (alto) and Katelyn Spina (alto) will perform with the All-State Mixed Chorus; Victoria Tiernan (soprano) will perform with the All-State Treble Chorus; Liam Greene (French horn) will perform with the All-State Symphonic Band; Victoria Keenan (violin) and Alexandra Stewart (flute) will perform with the All-State Symphonic Orchestra; and Cassidy Triolo (clarinet) will perform with the All-State Wind Ensemble.

Additionally, Max Calarco (jazz trumpet), Luke Ferrari (tenor), Vincent Guiliano (bass clarinet) and Jason Novellano (alto saxophone) were chosen as alternates.

Students were selected after performing for an All-State judge at last year’s NYSSMA festival and their performance and application reviewed by a committee in Syracuse this past summer.

The nine selected students will travel to Rochester, New York on Nov. 29 to rehearse with the All-State ensembles, under the direction of selected university professors and professional conductors from around the nation.

After three days of rehearsal with the finest musicians in New York State, their hard work will culminate with a performance at the historic Eastman Theatre in front of an audience of more than 2,000 people.

“The All-State selection process is very intense and competitive,” said East Islip’s band director Christopher Neske. “Thousands of students across New York State audition for a very limited number of seats. To have nine students from East Islip selected to perform at the conference this year, along with four students designated as alternates, is not only a testament to these students’ incredible hard work and dedication, but also a recognition of the strength of our districtwide music program.”

Pictured: (Clockwise from left) East Islip High School All-State musicians Liam Greene, Jason Novellano, Luke Ferrari, Max Calarco, Vincent Guiliano, Alexandra Bertolini, Cassidy Triolo, Victoria Keenan, Victoria Tiernan, Karina Gallagher, Alexandra Stewart, Katelyn Spina and Emily DaSilva.

Photo courtesy of the East Islip School District