NYSSMA Solo Festival

   On April 20, I participated in my ninth New York State Solo Music Association (NYSSMA) solo. At NYSSMA, students in grades K-11 perform a solo piece (for whichever instrument they play) so that they may be adjudicated by a professional musician. NYSSMA is also the first step to participating in festivals such as HMEA (Hampton Music Educator's Association), SCMEA (Suffolk County Music Educator's Association), and All State Festivals.

   Even though this was my ninth NYSSMA solo, this was my first time performing for an adjudicator in the hopes that I would be selected for All State. To participate in All State, both your solo and sight reading scores must be close to perfect. 

   I sang a level VI piece called Les Berceaux, composed by Gabriel Fauré. If you've never participated in NYSSMA, level VI is the highest, and most difficult, level offered at the festival. And for those of you who know me personally, know I don't speak French. But the journey to NYSSMA was interesting to say the least, considering I was singing a difficult piece in a language I have never spoken before. Even though there was some pressure to do well in order to go to All State, I went into my adjudication ready to do my best and have fun, because essentially, that is what NYSSMA is all about. 

   I would love to thank my choir director, Mr. Tartaglia for pushing me to do NYSSMA this year. I almost didn't participate this year because of a busy schedule, but I am glad I did. Next I need to thank the wonderful Peter Ludlow, who accompanied me as I sang for the adjudicator. And of course, thank you to my parents for giving me wonderful opportunities, such as NYSSMA, and for always believing in me.

   I wish nothing but good luck to all students who are participating in NYSSMA this weekend. I hope that you receive a high score that will take you to a festival such as SCMEA, HMEA, or All State!

XOXO

Sarah

New York State Lobby Day 2013

   On Tuesday, April 15, I was honored to participate in the American Heart Association's New York State Lobby Day in Albany. I started off the day with other advocates at a small session teaching us how to communicate with lawmakers effectively. We also reviewed our "asks" for the day: asking law makers to support the CPR in School Bill (making it mandatory for students to learn CPR as a graduation requirement), and asking lawmakers to support a Pulse Ox Bill (making it mandatory for all newborns to be screened for heart defects using a pulse ox).

   Afterwards, I headed over the the official Hands Only CPR station, where I volunteered to teach people walking by Hands Only CPR. Michele, the woman in charge of the station was so nice, and I had a great time taking an hour from my day to teach people CPR.

Teaching Hands Only CPR to people!

   After teaching CPR, I went straight to my first meeting. I first met with Lisa Lombardo, who was a staff member in Assemblyman Thiele's office. The meeting went well, and I even gave her the link to my Southampton High School CPR video, which you can see here. Later, I met with Senator LaValle who I was thrilled to hear supported both bills one hundred percent! After our meeting, I even got to discuss school and my plans for the future with him! He was such a nice man! Next, I met off the floor with Assemblyman McDonough and I got some good vibes from him! My last meeting of the day was with a staff member of Senator Martins, and it seemed to be a positive meeting!

With Senator LaValle after my meeting with him!

In front of the Lobby Day sign!

   I had such a great time at the Lobby Day! I would like to thank Julie Hart and Robin Vitale for inviting me to take part in a day dedicated to raising awareness and making a difference. I also want to thank Jessica DiMeo who attended all of the meetings with my mom and me. She was wonderful company and helped us so much! Lastly, thank you to my mom who drove me to Albany and allowed me to take part in Lobby Day. Soon, I'll be able to drive myself! :)

XOXO

Sarah

Festival Disney and My Birthday!

   For the past year, my school's mixed choir has worked super hard to fly down to Walt Disney World and participate in Festival Disney. From April 12 to April 14 we were able to do just that. As part of the festival, over 50 schools from all over the country perform for adjudicators who are professional musicians. All eighteen members of the Southampton High School Mixed Choir were thrilled to be apart of the special Festival Disney event.

We took a quick picture after arriving at Orlando International Airport! Our wonderful director, Mr. Tartaglia, is in the middle in the front of the group!

   On April 12, we spent the majority of the day at Disney's EPCOT park and had some fun before our adjudication at 7:00pm. After our adjudication, we were critiqued by one of the adjudicators as part of our experience at Festival Disney. She had some great things to say, and we left the adjudication with valuable lessons and the knowledge that we did our very best. Click here to see some videos of our performance!

At EPCOT with some of my friends, Kaley, Madison, Johanna, and Emily!

How many girls can you fit into a phone booth? Six! We took this picture in the World Showcase in England!

My wonderful friends and I! (From left to right) Emily, Johanna, Me, Madison, Peter, Kaley, and my sister Shelby!

   April 13 was a very exciting day. Not only was it the day that we would find out our official Festival Disney score, but it was also my sixteenth birthday! Can you say sweet sixteen? And to make the occasion extra special, two of my close friends, Madison and Kaley, flew out to Orlando to celebrate my birthday with me! We spent most of the day in the Magic Kingdom park and it ended up being everyone's favorite park! At 6:00 we headed over to Disney's Hollywood Studios for the exciting Festival Disney show where we received our "Excellent" rating! My favorite mouse, Mickey, even made a few guest appearances. It was the best birthday!

   On April 14, we spent the morning at Disney's Hollywood Studios and had our fill of thrill rides! Then at 12:00 we attended "Disney's Broadway Sings" workshop at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort! The workshop lasted three hours and took us through the entire Broadway process, from auditioning, to final performances. I was thrilled to be cast as Mary Poppins for our performance of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from the Broadway show, "Mary Poppins". Click here to see our performance!

   After the workshop, I returned to the hotel my mom, sister, aunt, and friends who weren't in the mixed choir were staying at. My parents had booked an extra day for me to stay in Disney to celebrate my birthday! We ate dinner at my favorite restaurant, 50's Prime Time, and my mom had even booked a reservation for us to go out onto Bay Lake (the lake directly across from the Magic Kingdom) on a pontoon boat to watch Wishes! firework show. Unfortunately, it started raining and we had to get off the lake as quickly as possible. I had a great time laughing with my friends, though, and we ended up watching the fireworks from Disney's Grand Floridian Resort!

At 50's Prime Time with my friends, and our hilarious waitress, Cousin Patty!

With Madison and Kaley! I was so happy they came to Disney with me!

With my wonderful mother, who made the trip go as smoothly as possible! She is our go-to Disney guru!

   I would love to thank so many people for this wonderful experience. First, to my parents for letting me attend the trip and celebrate my birthday in Disney World with my friends. Second, to my friends for spending my birthday with me! I love you all so much! Next, to Festival Disney for planning such a wonderful program that definitely brought magic to me! Last, and most definitely not least, thank you to my wonderful director, Mr. Tartaglia, for planning this trip and preparing us so well for our adjudication! My 14th trip to Disney World was truly a memorable one!

XOXO 

Sarah