District musicians chosen for fest

Eighteen outstanding City School District of Albany vocalists and instrumentalists have been selected from among top local middle-school and high-school musicians to perform in the 2024 Suburban Council Music Festival.

District performers chosen include:

Albany High School band members (students of John Halvorsen)

• Veronica Allen, trumpet 1/piano
• Anna Baldes, trombone 3
• Juliana Blake, flute 2
• Julio Davis, tuba
• Andrew Eck, trumpet 2
• Andre Speller, tuba
• Masami Surisawa, trombone 2

Albany High orchestra members (students of Anthony Berman)

• Sonja De Piro, cello
• Macaylah Irving, viola
• Shantel Sime Castro, violin 2
• Nareem Turner-Thompson, bass

William S. Hackett Middle School choir members (students of Francesca DelSignore)

• Abigail Dalland
• Emmaline Dalland
• Chloe Diefendorf
• Grace Fruehwirth
• Giuliana Gaspary
• Hannah Hubbell
• Xamaica Skervin 
• Kadiata Toumbou

The festival will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 at Columbia High School, 962 Luther Road, East Greenbush. Ensembles will include a high-school band and orchestra and a middle-school chorus and jazz band.

Students were chosen based on scores earned at New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) auditions, teacher recommendations, and instrument and voice needs to balance the ensembles.

Congratulations to these talented musicians and the teachers who guide them!