Hicksville High School Kid Earns State's Highest Music Honor

HICKSVILLE, NY — A high school music phenom from Wantagh was among 800 students across the state chosen to participate in the New York State School Music Association's Winter All-State Conference, considered the highest honor a school musician can achieve.

Hicksville High School senior Faaris Ali was selected for piano by the New York State School Music Association. He will serve as an alternate for the highly selective jazz ensemble, which will perform in Rochester, New York, from Dec. 5-8.

Hicksville music teacher and jazz band director Jonathan Shmuel said fewer than 20 of the best jazz musicians are selected to play in the All-State Jazz Ensemble. Just one or two pianists are selected to perform, he said.

Faaris also plays piano for the high school jazz band and is a violinist in the school orchestra.

Thousands auditioned for All-State honors in the spring at solo and ensemble festivals throughout the state. Students were chosen based on proficiency scores earned at the festivals, as well as teacher recommendations.

Farris is the first Hicksville High School musician named to the jazz ensemble in nearly two decades. He will perform in a February jazz showcase at Hicksville Middle School.