Walter Panas High School Chamber Choir Awarded Level 6 Gold Rating

CORTLANDT, NY — Congratulations to the Walter Panas High School Chamber Choir for achieving the prestigious Level 6 Gold Rating. The choir performed at the New York State School Music Association's Major Festival May 23 at Minisink Valley High School. It was led by led by Panas music teacher Jamie Stroffolino.

Level 6 is the most challenging and difficult level that NYSSMA has designated for choirs and other music ensembles.

For the first time in the history of the district, the WPHS Chamber Choir performed at this level and received a GOLD ranking. The repertoire that the group performed included, "Saul" by Egil Hovland, "Battle of Jericho" by Moses Hogan, and "When Midnight Mists are Creeping" by Greg Gilpin.

Level 6 is open only to the most musically advanced and mature musical ensembles from around New York State. According to NYSSMA, "GOLD RATING will be awarded to organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding level of technical and artistic skill in all three of their repertoire selections."

This is the third year in a row that the Chamber Choir has received a gold (2015 - Level 4 Gold, 2016 - Level 5 Gold, 2017 - Level 6 Gold).

The Walter Panas High School Chamber Choir received support from music teachers district-wide. Mr. Darrin Grimm, Mrs. Cynthia Ramirez, and Mr. Patrick Murphy all volunteered their time and efforts to help prepare these students for their level 6 performance. This year, the Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School Honors Band and the Lakeland High School Wind Ensemble also performed at the NYSSMA Major Festival.