Fox Lane Chamber Orchestra Shines at New York State School Music Association Majors

Congratulations to the Fox Lane High School Chamber Orchestra! The group was awarded its third consecutive Gold with Distinction rating on a level 6 at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Majors — the highest level of difficulty and honors achievable at NYSSMA Majors in New York State.

“You are a very professional-sounding group. If I closed my eyes, I would have thought you were a professional ensemble,” the judge said in one of their comments.

Students performed a challenging program which included “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” by Debussy, “Rounds” by David Diamond and “Serenade” by Edward Elgar.

“Achieving a level 6 Gold with Distinction is no small feat,” said Fox Lane High School Director of Orchestras Janine Bergamini. “These students are outstanding in character, commitment and ability. Most began in the BCSD strings programs in the third grade. Our exceptional music educators instructed them, starting in general music classes in kindergarten and continuing until graduation, for which I am very grateful.”

The judge’s notes were full of effusive compliments, including:

“You had great dynamic contrasts and challenging passages that you breezed through.”

“Your playing gave me chills; you have inspired me today.”

“Thank you to your conductor for not shying away from such difficult literature to perform and conduct, bravo.”

Congratulations again to Rachel Agnello, Anushka Arvind Sriram, Cami Bly, Jordan Brown, Catherine Cerone, Eliana Chiarello, Clare Dorgan, Miko Drouot, Oliver Fishlin, Samuel Griff, Lauren Horowitz, Jonah Kim, Liliana Kimble, Hannah Laskaris, Aggie Mazurek, Lily Moore, Tyler Nakajima-Graham, Chase Tynan, Meg Uday, Alexander Wolf-Cynamon, Emma Xiong and Isabella Zapsky.