3 Byram Hills High School Musicians Earn Prestigious All-State Honors

from the Byram Hills school district

ARMONK, NY — Three seniors from Byram Hills High School have received prestigious All-State honors from the New York State School Music Association, selected from thousands of students who auditioned in the spring at music festivals throughout the state.

Trombonist Aaron Lestz was selected for the All-State Symphonic Band and will perform at the NYSSMA All-State Conference in Rochester, New York, this fall. Alto Morgan Hecht and Valentina Marino, a soprano, were selected as alternates for the All-State Mixed Chorus.

"Bravo to Aaron, Morgan, and Valentina!” said Marc Beja, the Byram Hills Director of Fine Arts.“It is such an honor for Byram Hills to have three students receive All-State honors this year. The training and preparation required to earn a perfect or near-perfect score at the NYSSMA All-State solo festival is a true testament to the dedication and musicianship of these students, the high quality of our music teachers and classes, and the District's overall commitment to the arts.

"The students felt gratified to be selected as participants or alternates for the All-State concerts.“I’m very excited to go,” Aaron said. “It’s a great opportunity to really show how I’ve been doing all this time and do a great job.”

Valentina said: “I feel honored. It was a lot of hard work and dedication during the NYSSMA season. Hard work pays off.”

Morgan added: “I’m really proud of myself. NYSSMA is always really challenging. The music is always really challenging. The sight reading is always really challenging. To know the work I put in actually has a payoff is really nice.”

The All-State NYSSMA performances will be held on Dec. 3 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre of the University of Rochester.