ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The New York State School Music Association returns to Rochester at the historic Eastman Theater this weekend for the 2024 All-State Festival and Winter Conference. Eight hundred and twenty six high school student musicians and vocalists are scheduled to perform.

What You Need To Know

  •  826 students are performing in the 2024 NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference 

  • Ensembles include wind, string, chorus, symphonic band, orchestra and jazz

  • Concert tickets are $30 

These are the top students from school music departments across the state who share a passion and drive to get to this level of play. They’ll perform together on Saturday and Sunday in Rochester.

Spectrum News 1 had a chance to meet, chat and listen to two students rehearse from Victor High School before the big shows.

When Sarah Chruscicki was in second grade, she wanted to learn to play guitar at school. When guitar wasn’t on the list of instrument options, she chose the violin, but really it seems the violin chose her.

“I love the violin because it gives me a voice and ways to express myself in ways that I cannot otherwise,” said Sarah Chruscicki, a senior at Victor High School.

Chruscicki's dazzling ability on the strings has her retuning for a second performance in the Conference All-State symphony orchestra. The auditions are highly competitive.

“You are with the best people in the state and being in a sea of violins was very inspiring," she said.

Victor senior Kaliey Sheets was also selected for the Conference All-State festival. Her musical journey started in fifth grade on the clarinet, but she switched to the flute and never looked back.

“I’ve been playing for seven years and the flute is my thing. I love playing the flute, all day, every day. If all I could do is play the flute that’s what I’d choose, said Sheets."

Sheets is in the symphony orchestra and wind symphony at the prestigious Hochstein School. She’s made All-County and this year will perform in the Conference All-State wind ensemble.

“I am super happy with where I am playing," she said. "It makes me happy every single day. I am really grateful.”

It’s that dedication and joy that music educators love and appreciate.

“Just go into this weekend with a really open mind and just soak it all in because you are going to be around so many musicians that share the same values you do and practice just as much as you do, said Laura Brewer, senior high wind ensemble director at Victor High School.

“Enjoy every minute," said Gretchen Judge, orchestra director at Victor High School. "I think the conductors are going to amazing and your colleagues are going to be amazing. You worked really hard and we are really proud of you."

The other ensembles performing this weekend include All-State jazz, chorus and symphonic band. The public is invited to attend. Tickets can be purchased online at the Eastman Theater and the Theater at Innovation Square.

All-State Concert Tickets

Saturday, Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m., The Theater at Innovations Square
Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Instrumental Jazz Ensemble
https://theaterais.thundertix.com/events/233549

Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., Kodak Hall, Eastman Theater
Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Treble Chorus
https://www.esm.rochester.edu/theatre/events/2024-nyssma-winter-conference/

Sunday, Dec. 8, Kodak Hall, Eastman Theater
Mixed Chorus, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra
https://www.esm.rochester.edu/theatre/events/2024-nyssma-winter-conference-ii/