4 St. John The Baptist Students Named NYSMMA All-State Team

WEST ISLIP, NY - St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School’s Performing Arts Department recently announced that three students attended the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Winter Conference this past weekend.

Students participate in a NYSSMA adjudication festival in their district the year prior to being selected for the All-State honor. They must be Sophomores or Juniors and must perform music at the highest level.

In most cases students must score a perfect 100 to be selected to the conference.

Three string students that were selected, Julia Eterno on bass, Victoria Arsenicos on violin, and Theresa McGiff on violin, all scored a perfect 100, along with one alternate vocalist, Carley Lovito.

At the conference, Julia Eterno was selected to be first chair in her section, which is an awesome achievement.

Julia was also featured as a soloist on the Debussy String Quartet Anime et tres decide.

The conference was held at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.

As the director of NAFME (National Association for Music Educators) said at the keynote speaker assembly, "New York State sets the standard musically for every state in this country."

The students were under the guidance of faculty of the SJB Performing Arts Department, especially, Mr. Christopher Donohue, Department Chair, who was selected for the honor of Division 2 All-County Conductor at the upcoming All-County Music Festival at the Tilles Center which will be held in January.

Congratulations to the students!

Photo courtesy of St. John The Baptist