The F-M wind ensemble was one of eight groups selected to perform at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference in early December.
“It is definitely an honor to be selected as a performance ensemble and I am extremely proud of the group and how they performed,” explained FMHS band teacher Rebecca Bizup.
Ahead of the conference performance, the composer of one of the pieces, Dr. Stephen Shewan, visited F-M to work with students. Dr. Shewan then attended the performance in support of the group. Students also had the opportunity to work with several local professional musicians to help prepare them for this event.
An Eagle Hill Middle School student also received special recognition at this year’s winter conference. Yachen Ren, a 7th grader, was invited to NYSSMA’s 26th Annual Young Composer Honors Concert to showcase his composition for string orchestra, “Dance of the Snowflakes.”
“My favorite season is winter, but I noticed how other composers conveyed winter as dark,” shared Yachen. “When I wrote this, it reminded me of a dance and the joy of winter.”
Yachen is among three young composers whose creations were selected for the 6th-8th grade group. A total of ten students from New York State were invited to showcase their composition pieces at the concert. Composition winners also received workshops on their pieces with well-known composers. Yachen’s award-winning composition will be recognized by the F-M music department this year.
The 88th NYSSMA Annual Winter Conference took place December 5-8 in Rochester.