The South Seneca High School Music Department would like to congratulate Luke Dendis (senior) on being selected as a member of the NYS School Music Association (NYSSMA) Conference All-State Symphonic Band.
He joined wind, brass, and percussion students from across the state, working at a high level of artistry, for a weekend of rehearsals from December 1st through 3rd, culminating in a performance at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester on Sunday, December 4th, 2022.
Conference All-State is the highest level ensemble in the NYSSMA organization. Students applying to take part in one of the 5 Conference All-State choral or instrumental ensembles must prepare a All-State level VI solo and score between 98-100 in order to be considered. After all recommended students are sorted numerically by score, the All-State Selection Committee reviews member school music teacher recommendations, adjudicator recommendations, the candidate’s previous NYSSMA Solo ratings, grade in school, zone representation, participation in the previous year’s All-State, and participation in other performing organizations.
Approximately 600 students are accepted each year to participate in the Conference All-State groups. Luke scored 99 on his Level VI solo last May in Trumansburg and was selected for the Symphonic Band as a Clarinet 3 this year. He is one of the 34 clarinet players who were accepted to participate in this year’s All-State ensembles. The NYSSMA All-State Symphonic Band was conducted by Dr. Thomas McCauley, Director of University Bands for the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Luke is currently a member of the High School Band at South Seneca.