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Congratulations to Albany High seniors Celine Casasola (right) and Sidney Blanken (left) for being selected to perform as vocalists at the Conference All-State Music Festival in Rochester this December!

Senior Eli Stanwicks (middle) has also been selected as an alternate for euphonium.

Casasola will be performing alto 2 in the Mixed Chorus and Blanken will be performing alto 1 in the Treble Chorus. Casasola participated in the All-State Treble Chorus during last year's New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference and is thrilled to return. 

"I'm excited to sing with a new choir and with new people too," Casasola stated. "It feels really nice being in a room, and you are surrounded by people that are also committed, that also love music, and that are also very talented."

Approximately 6,500 sophomores and juniors statewide compete for a spot in the All-State bands, chorus, orchestra and jazz ensembles honors groups. In late August, approximately 825 students were notified that they were selected to participate in the NYSSMA Conference All-State Music Festival that will take place Dec. 3-6.

The selection process is multi-faceted and includes factors such as a student's rating at the NYSSMA competition, music teacher recommendations, grades in school and more. All selected students received a score of 98-100 by the adjudicator at their spring solo performance.

Blanken, Casasola and Stanwicks have truly enjoyed their music education in the City School District of Albany and are grateful for the many opportunities they have been afforded to develop their talents.

Both Casasola and Blanken began studying vocal performance at William S. Hackett Middle School and have been part of the Albanettes and Chamber Choir, our most advanced choirs at Albany High, since their sophomore year. 

Additionally, Blanken plays trumpet in the Albany High wind ensemble and pit orchestra, and both Blanken and Casasola participate in our advanced jazz ensemble, The Jazzmanian Devils. Casasola has delivered incredible vocal performances in Albany High Theater Ensemble productions, most recently playing Janis in Mean Girls: High School Edition. 

Stanwicks began playing the euphonium in third grade at Montessori Magnet School and has been part of the wind ensemble at Albany High since his freshman year. Additionally, he has participated in area All-State performances for several years and is a member of the Albany High pit orchestra. 

Congratulations to these talented musicians and their guiding teachers, Brendan Hoffman and John Halvorsen!