Washingtonville musicians earn honors at every level

Washingtonville Central School District’s music program is celebrating another year of excellence, highlighted by national recognition, prestigious student and instructor honors, and exciting opportunities for musicians across every grade level.

For the 16th consecutive year, Washingtonville Central School District was named one of the National Association of Music Merchants’ (NAMM) 2026 “Best Communities for Music Education” in America, a distinction awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement and commitment to music education.

“This recognition reflects the consistency of our music program, as well as the dedication of our students and teachers,” said Dr. Larry Washington, Superintendent of Schools. “From elementary school through high school, our students continue to challenge themselves, perform at a high level and represent Washingtonville with pride. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.”

This year, Washingtonville musicians represented the district with distinction in a wide range of prestigious ensembles and festivals.

At the high school level, 21 students were selected to perform in the All-County Band, Chorus and Orchestra Honors Festival Additionally, 26 middle school students and 42 elementary students earned placements in their respective All-County honors ensembles. An additional five students were selected for the Middle and High School All-County Jazz Ensembles.

Washingtonville students also earned recognition at the state level through the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). 22 students were selected to perform in the NYSSMA Area All-State Band, Chorus and Orchestra Honors Festival. An additional 11 students represented the district as members of the selective Hudson Valley Honors Band through a recommendation-based audition process.

Among the district’s highest individual achievements this year, four students earned spots in the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) All-State Honors Middle and High School Symphonic Bands.

The most prestigious honors were achieved by Washingtonville High School students Giovanni Berchielli and Cooper Smith, who were selected for the New York All-State Band and Chorus Honors Festival respectively, one of the most prestigious honors available to student musicians in New York State. Read more about the All State experience here. 

Students also benefited from unique professional learning experiences throughout the year. Washingtonville middle and high school brass students recently spent a full day working alongside the prestigious West Point Brass Quintet through hands-on workshops and performances.

The collaboration reflects a long-standing relationship between the Washingtonville community and the United States Military Academy at West Point. District students have regularly worked with visiting West Point ensembles over the years, including the academy’s flute and trumpet sections, as well as the Hellcats.

“Their presence elevates the quality and access to music across the entire community,” said Laura Giorgio, Washingtonville Middle School Band Director. “Likewise, the West Pointers report back on how much they enjoy performing for and working with the children.”

The relationship also carries deep historical and community ties. The Band at West Point traces its roots back to field musicians assigned to General George Washington, while many current and retired members of West Point ensembles have longstanding connections to the local community. Their involvement continues to provide Washingtonville students with direct access to high-level musical instruction and performance opportunities, inspiring new generations of musicians year after year. 

This year also brought special recognition for Ms. Giorgio, who was named the 2026 Orange County Music Educators Association (OCMEA) Music Educator of the Year. Ms. Giorgio has taught band at Washingtonville Middle School for over 20 years, helping generations of students grow both as musicians and individuals.

This award honors an outstanding music teacher who exemplifies excellence, dedication and leadership in the field of music education. As noted in her nomination, Ms. Giorgio “knows her students’ lives — their stories, their families, their friends, their siblings, their greatest gifts and their most difficult challenges.”

While the school year may be winding down, Washingtonville musicians still have opportunities to showcase their work throughout the district’s upcoming spring concerts:

• WHS Spring Band Concert — May 12 at 7:00 p.m.
• WHS Spring Chorus Concert — May 13 at 7:00 p.m.
• Little Britain Spring Concert — May 18 at 7:00 p.m.
• Round Hill Spring Concert — May 20 at 7:00 p.m.
• Taft Spring Concert — May 21 at 7:00 p.m.

The district’s spring concert series is a longstanding tradition that celebrates student musicianship and growth across every grade level. This year, however, one performance in particular has been more than a year in the making.

Washingtonville High School junior Owen Leonard spent nearly a year and a half reorchestrating and arranging music from the Broadway musical Wicked for Wind Ensemble, carefully writing parts for over 30 different instruments.

His original arrangement will debut during the WHS Spring Band Concert on May 12, with Owen serving as conductor for the performance. 

Together, these accomplishments reflect a music program built on dedication, creativity and opportunities for students to grow not only as performers, but as leaders and creators as well.