The selection committees for the 2015 New York State School Music Association Winter Conference have chosen three Bellport High School Musicians to perform at this year’s NYSSMA All-State Music Festival.  The festival, which is part of the NYSSMA Winter Conference, will take place in Rochester, NY, beginning Thursday, December 3 and ending Sunday, December 6.   Two days of concert performances will be held at the renowned Eastman Theater of the Eastman School of Music.

Each of these students received a perfect score (A+, 100) from state adjudicators on their solo performances at last spring’s NYSSMA Solo Festival held at William Floyd High School, on April 17 and 18.  

Bellport High School’s All-State musicians include:
Deanna DeMartino Alto II Mixed Chorus 
Natalie Maida Alto II Mixed Chorus
Natalie Maida Jazz Alto Voice Vocal Jazz 
Lili Salcedo-Watson Cello         Orchestra (alt.)

Each student was notified of their acceptance to the All-State Music Conference by mail in late August.  They are one of 900 NYS student musicians selected to perform in one of the eight prestigious All-State performing ensembles.  This represents a remarkable achievement, as there were over 6,500 students that auditioned statewide for a position in the All-State Music Festival.  Performing ensembles include the All-State Band, Wind Ensemble, Mixed Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Instrumental and Vocal Jazz Ensemble.  South Country had 10 high school students audition for All-State last spring.

The Music Department is very proud to have Deanna, Natalie and Lili represent Bellport High School and the South Country Central School District at this highly celebrated event!