Five students from Camden Middle School recently had the honor of representing the Camden Central School District at the New York State School Music Association’s Zone 4 Junior High Area All-State Festival. The festival brings together students from across Oneida, Oswego, and Herkimer Counties to perform and rehearse together over a two day period.
Selection is a highly competitive process based on a student’s 2024 NYSSMA evaluation. In order to participate, a musician must rank at the top of the proficiency list for their instrument among all entries in the Zone, and receive a recommendation from their school music teacher.
Eighth grade student Max Scholz represented Camden in the Area All-State Junior Band on the Alto Saxophone.
In the Area All-State Junior Orchestra, Camden had four representatives: Eighth graders Olivia Potter, Drew Collins, and Adalyn Whitby were accompanied by seventh grader Katherine Dean to this year’s festival.
By participating, students have the opportunity to challenge themselves independently. They must prepare their music with diligent practice habits without the benefit of group rehearsals during their class time. In addition, students get to build connections and share ideas with their peers from across the area.