Three Glens Falls instrumentalists earned places in the extremely selective New York State Band Director’s Association (NYSBDA) Honors Ensembles. This year, Glens Falls was represented by Scotty Jones (Euphonium) and Nick Teta (Trombone) in the High School Concert Band, and Sean Pettis (Alto Saxophone) in the High School Jazz Ensemble.
“Both groups are extremely competitive to get into as it’s a state-wide group,” says music teacher Jeremy Bouteiller. “In the Concert Band, there were 120 students selected from only 54 school districts. In the jazz ensemble, Sean was one of two alto saxophones selected in the 18-member group.” The student-musicians were selected based on their previous year’s NYSSMA scores and recommendation.
Students traveled to Liverpool, NY for the weekend of March 1—3. “They rehearsed all day Friday and Saturday in their full ensembles and sectionals, attended a leadership conference with the legendary Ronald Sutherland, and then put on a phenomenal concert Sunday at noon,” said Mr. Bouteiller. “It was a great weekend of music making!”
The musical program included performances of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night In Tunisia” by the HS Honors Jazz Ensemble, and Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to ‘Candide’” by the HS Honors Concert Band.
Bravo, musicians!