Students from Holley, Lyndonville perform at All-State music festival

Photos courtesy of Zach Busch, Holley Jr.-Sr. High School band director: The Junior High Band, led by Dr. Adam Brennan, performs during the NYSSMA Zone 2 Area All-State Festival at Batavia High School. Brennan has taught for 29 years at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Students in the ensemble performed a variety of music from standards in the Concert Band repertoire, contemporary music, to the World Premier of Dr. Brennan’s newest work entitled “Whimsy,” which was composed for this year’s band. 

Information courtesy of Zach Busch, Holley Jr.-Sr. High School band director

BATAVIA – Seven students from Orleans County – four form Holley and three from Lyndonville –performed at the Zone 2 Area All-State festival this weekend at Batavia High School.

In order to participate for this festival, the students need to complete a NYSSMA Solo Festival performance in the spring, achieve a high score, and have their teacher complete a rigorous application and recommendation.

A committee then selects the very best students from Orleans, Genesee-Wyoming, Monroe, Genesee-Valley, Ontario, and Wayne counties.

Representing Holley Jr./Sr. High  in the Band were, from left: Harrison Flanagan, Trombone – 9th grade; Cameron Kelley, Clarinet – 7th grade; Aidan Kelley, Clarinet – 9th grade; and Rosa Scroope, Horn – 7th grade.

Representing Lyndonville Jr./Sr. High were, from left: Sarah Corser, Treble Choir – 9th grade; Aurora Avery, Treble Choir – 8th grade; and Gavyn Draper, Mixed Choir – 8th grade.

The Jr. High Area All-State Treble Choir was conducted by Sarah Christy who has been a high school choir director since 2008, and currently teaches at Averill Park High School near New York’s Capital District. The Treble Choir performed a variety of works including Jim Papoulis’ “Eneza Upendo” which encourages listeners to spread love.

The Jr. High Area All-State Mixed Choir was conducted by Kent Knappenberger who has been a music educator at the Westfield Academy since 1989. Mr. Knappenberger is most well-known for winning the inaugural Grammy for Music Educator of the year. The Mixed Choir performed four selections including Steve Zegree’s “Mas Que Nada,” which featured electric bass and drum set accompaniment to provide a Latin-jazz feel.