Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24:
Music is an instrumental part of Kellenberg, whether it be through student electives, after school clubs, or in-school lessons.
Recently, seventeen student musicians have been recognized for their talents through the All-County, All-State, and All-Eastern music festivals.
For those unaware, these three act in a tiered system for talented student musicians to work alongside similarly-skilled peers and a guest conductor to showcase their talents at the festival’s concert.
All-County is the first level, where students from throughout Nassau County are chosen by their school to attend a week-long festival in January. Seventeen Kellenberg students from the band, chorus, and orchestra participated in this festival, going to a local high school to practice throughout the week before performing at Long Island University.
Junior Gabriella D’Orlando, who attended the festival, stated, “All-County was such an amazing experience. I performed in the jazz chorus for the first time and it was a blast!”
Squire Madelyn Forquignon, who also attended, said, “I was very honored to be chosen to perform with the All-County Orchestra. I love playing the cello and it was such an amazing experience to rehearse and play with other students from all across Long Island!”
All-State is the next level up, where students with high NYSSMA scores are chosen from throughout New York State to attend a festival in the beginning of December. Seniors Jake Truncale and Isabella Carrano made mixed chorus, while senior Margaret Drennan made the symphonic band. They represented Kellenberg at the three-day conference in Rochester, after which they performed in Eastman.
The All-Eastern festival, which will be held in April, consists of the best student musicians from the eastern states. Senior Isabella Carrano and Junior Gabriella D’Orlando will be participating in the All-Eastern choral ensemble.
Gabriella shared, “I have always wanted to be in All-Eastern since I had first heard of it as a fourth grader. After many years of hard work, I am so excited to finally perform in this ensemble! I’m so grateful to have been accepted into both All-County and All-Eastern since they’re such amazing performing ensembles.”
Isabella said, “I’m excited to experience All-Eastern, especially since I will be performing with some of the best singers in the eastern states. I’m so blessed that I got the opportunity to be in all three of these festivals, and I will cherish these experiences forever.”
The students’ hard work and dedication has paid off, with the All-County, All-State, and All-Eastern festivals to show for it.
Outside these festivals, Junior Madeleine Lorentz was named an alternate performer for the NYSBDA Honors Band. The New York State Band Directors Association, or NYSBDA for short, holds an annual festival for high-scoring NYSSMA students who have not been chosen for All-State.
“I’m very proud of and impressed with all of the students,” Mr. Vegas, the music department chairman, stated. “It takes a lot of effort, determination, and drive to reach this level of achievement. Students have to put in countless hours at home outside of the ensemble and lesson times, and a lot of commitment has to be made on the part of the student. It says a lot about their passion and enthusiasm about the art. It’s not easy to sing or play at that level.”
These festivals served as a way for students to not only showcase their musical talents, but also to learn and grow from their experiences.
