Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School proudly welcomed students and music educators from across the region this past week as it hosted the NYSSMA Choral Major Festival on April 29–30. The event brought together talented student musicians from across the Capital Region and gave RCS the opportunity to showcase both its facilities and its strong commitment to music education.
NYSSMA Major and Solo Festivals take place during March and April, with schools rotating hosting responsibilities for evaluations. During these festivals, student groups and soloists perform for adjudicators and receive ratings based on performance quality, musicianship, and preparation.
While RCS hosted this portion of the Majors festival, student ensembles also traveled throughout the season to perform at other host sites, including Shaker, Columbia, and Saratoga Springs High Schools. Their performances earned strong ratings that reflected months of preparation, dedication, and musical growth.
RCS 7/8 Band – Silver
RCS 7/8 Chorus – Silver
RCS High School Band – Gold
RCS High School Chorus – Gold
Gold and Silver ratings represent high levels of musical achievement. The festival experience provides students with opportunities to perform for professional judges, receive valuable feedback, and learn from peer musicians throughout the area.
RCS musicians have also continued to showcase their talent and dedication through participation in NYSSMA Solo Festivals. This year, 78 students participated, with many performing at Mohonasen High School on April 24–25. Students earned impressive scores across all grade levels, including several performances that qualified for All-State consideration.
Hosting and participating in NYSSMA events highlights the talent and growth of RCS student musicians. These experiences not only recognize musical achievement but also encourage continued learning, confidence, and collaboration through the arts.
Together, these accomplishments reflect the pride, growth, and excellence of the RCS music community.
A special thank you to RCS senior Bradley Brenner for sharing his photos for this publication.