Three Washingtonville students perform at New York State School Music Association All State Winter Conference

Three musically talented students from Washingtonville High School earned the opportunity to join over 500 peers for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All State Festival and Winter Conference this past weekend. This event featured the state’s best student musicians. 

Junior Ryan Godfrey and seniors Grace Gorczynski and Sofia Zizolfo-Gonzalez traveled to Rochester on December 1, 2022, for the four-day event. These students had the opportunity to perform in ensembles led by nationally recognized conductors. Gorczynski and Zizolfo-Gonzalez are soprano singers who performed in the All-State Mixed Chorus conducted by Dr. Derrick Fox, from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Godfrey played the trumpet in the All-State Symphonic Band directed by Dr. Thomas McCauley from Montclair State University. 

“We performed at the historic Eastman Theater and I was honestly flabbergasted,” said Gorczynski. “It was beautiful.” 

Godfrey, Gorczynski and Zizolfo-Gonzalez were selected to perform with other students from across the state based on the scores from the NYSSMA festivals last spring. To be considered, musicians needed to score a grade of 98 or higher. 

“It’s really hard to qualify,” said Zizolfo-Gonzalez. “Even if you get a perfect score, it is still not guaranteed.” 

“In the four days they were there, they rehearsed for many hours and their final performance was incredible,” said Jeremy Groth, chorus teacher at Washingtonville High School. “It was an honor for them to participate in these amazing ensembles and an experience that they will never forget.”

Students were able to meet new people from across the state of New York and also had the chance to meet many representatives from colleges and universities. 

“I am already preparing for next year,” said Godfrey.