For Westmoreland student Tyler Crumb, participating in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 4 Area All-State Music Festival is an experience he will never forget.
“Being a part of a group like Area All-State is very heartwarming,” Tyler, who performed in the mixed choir, said. “You learn so much from others around you and get to be a part of something amazing and truly spectacular.” 
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYSSMA Zone 4 Area All-State Music Festival made a grand return. The Westmoreland Central School District hosted the prestigious event for the first time ever on March 25 and 26.
The festival, which was co-chaired by Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School music teachers Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Cutler, featured the finest student musicians from high schools in Oneida, Herkimer, Oswego and Madison counties. All or parts of the four counties make up “Zone 4” of NYSSMA.
“We were honored to host the NYSSMA Zone 4 Area All-State Music Festival at Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School,” Mrs. Davis said. “It’s a rare opportunity for a school of our small size to host such a large and prestigious event.”
Only about 200 of the nearly 600 students who auditioned for the festival were selected to participate. In order to make the cut, most students had to score at least 97 out of 100 on their virtual audition. Students also had to be recommended by their teachers.
“The best of the best were chosen,” Mrs. Davis explained. “Participants started practicing the music on their own and with their music teachers in January.”
The student musicians participated in one of four ensembles – string orchestra, concert band, mixed choir and treble choir. A guest conductor rehearsed with and then led each ensemble in a concert. The concerts took place in the Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School gym on March 26.
“It was phenomenal to be back and have students and teachers together to collaborate and perform,” Mrs. Cutler said. “There isn’t a music teacher in the world that didn’t give it every effort to make music work over Zoom, but nothing compares to live music.”
Thirteen students from Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School participated in festival. They were:
Concert Band – Gavin Haggerty, Katherine Hansson, David Huyck, Natalie Robinson and Jase Smith
Mixed Choir – Tyler Crumb, Allison Davis, Owen Davison, Sophia Larish and Matthew Yaddaw
Treble Choir – Margaret Edwards, Alessandra Feldman and Julia Hutchins
Nearly 30 Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School music students also volunteered their time during the festival.
"I loved having the opportunity to play with and spend time with other students that have a strong passion for music just like me,” Natalie Robinson said.
"It was a really welcoming environment,” Matthew Yaddaw added. “It was great to be in the same room with people that have the same passion for music as you."
Congratulations to all of Westmoreland’s students who were selected to participate in the NYSSMA Zone 4 Area All-State Music Festival!
Photo in article - Concert Band rehearsing.
To view photos from the Mixed Choir and Treble Choir concerts, click here.
To watch a story that aired on WKTV on March 25, click here.
To watch a story that aired on WKTV on March 26, click here.