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High School senior Alekzandra Thoms, participating in the mixed chorus, and junior Michael Landy, an oboist who will perform with the symphonic band, were chosen from nearly 7,000 sophomores and juniors who auditioned last year. They are two of just 900 students that were chosen based on last year’s audition.
This isn’t the first time Thoms will be on the big stage, having sang with the high school chorus as well as interning with the Young at Arts music program at the Christ Church in Bronxville.
“Alekzandra comes from a long line of exceptional singers and it is clear she is continuing the family tradition,” Bronxville High School Choral Director Pamela Simpson said. “She possesses a beautiful soprano voice, and I rely on her to lead the soprano section in chorus.”
Bronxville High School band teacher Sharon Slote, who has taught Landy for the better part of a decade, said that her student’s audition last year was one of the best she’s ever heard. She said he “produces a beautiful tone and plays with exceptional sensitivity to style.”
“Michael’s virtually flawless audition for all-State last spring was one of the best student auditions I’ve ever heard,’ she said. “He opened the door to performing in one of the country’s most beautiful concert halls with some of the finest musicians in the state. “
According to schools officials, “to prepare for the rigorous process, students spend countless hours preparing for the auditions. At the conclusion of the evaluations, NYSSMA certified all-State adjudicators create a rank-ordered proficiency list of all recommended students who have earned a score of 98 through 100.”
The committee then sorts through the list, factoring in extra curricular activities and other musical proficiencies to determine the finalists for all-state honors.
The 2015 NYSSMA Winter Conference will be held from Thursday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Rochester Convention Center.
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