Ossining High School Student Scores Spot in All-State Symphonic Band

Ossining High School junior Marcus Shaw, who plays the French horn, recently was selected for the New York State School Music Association’s All-State Symphonic Band.

Flautist Nina Foster, also a junior, was chosen as an alternate for the statewide Symphonic Band.

Both Marcus and Nina had perfect scores at the NYSSMA Solo Festival last spring. They were chosen based on their performance there as well as teacher recommendations.

The All-State bands, choruses, orchestras and jazz ensembles are honors groups composed of the top students from school music departments across New York. More than 7,000 students compete for the nearly 900 positions in the eight All-State ensembles, according to NYSSMA.

The ensembles perform during the association’s winter conference in Rochester Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. Performances are held in the Eastman Theater at the Eastman School of Music. The groups are directed by renowned guest conductors.

The mission of NYSSMA, which is the largest state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education, is to advocate for and improve music education across New York.