The Westbury High School string orchestra placed first in Hershey Park’s recent music competition, achieving a rating of “excellent” and securing their victory.
In addition, the viola section and the string bass section were both named “outstanding sections,” which is the first time that the Westbury’s string bass section has achieved this honor.
“The Westbury High School string orchestra has once again proudly represented our district and community,” Tahira Chase, Westbury School District Superintendent, said. “Our scholars continue to deliver a legacy of achievement as they demonstrate their remarkable skills on a national stage.”
Nadine Schalk, Westbury High School teacher, has been leading the string orchestra in the Hershey Park competition since 2009. Her first trip of this nature at the school district was with the Powells Lane Elementary School string orchestra in 1996. Since then, she has made it her goal to have the Westbury orchestra under her direction participate in a spring music competition.
“I have had the honor to stand before our talented Westbury scholars and conduct them for 28 years,” Schalk said. “Along with participation at the NYSSMA Majors Festival, the spring music competition is a fun event that grants our scholars the opportunity to compete against other groups outside of Westbury and New York. This experience builds our students’ confidence, and it always gives me such joy to witness the growth of the group together and their excited expressions as we hear the results at the awards ceremony.”
At the beginning of each school year, the orchestra discusses the trip to a music competition and collectively decides if they are going and where they will go. Students then practice as a section, and individually, in the pursuit of earning a coveted outstanding section trophy. Students fundraise to help cover the cost of the coach bus and the chaperones that volunteer for the trip. This year, the string orchestra — made up of sophomores, juniors, seniors, and three leveled-up ninth graders — eagerly made their way to Hershey Park and achieved exceptional success.
These students also competed in the NYSSMA Majors Festival this year with level five music, which is the second-highest level of music that can be prepared. For the first time in almost 20 years, the school received a bronze rating at the event.
“When the trophies are brought back and displayed in the lobby for all of the school and community to see, it validates our scholars’ hard work and talent,” Schalk said. “It also sets the bar for the next group to continue this legacy and pave the way to achieve this level of success.”