12/30/2025
At the start of December, the Syracuse Youth Wind Symphony traveled west to Rochester and performed at the NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference!
The SYWS presented a performance-clinic on Saturday afternoon titled “Building an Ensemble Culture of Joy!” to a fantastic crowd in the Grand Lilac Ballroom at the Rochester Convention Center. The session featured commentary from many SYWS Students and from Manager Sofia Benderski and Directors, Mr. Greg Borsz and Ms. Erin Althen. The Wind Symphony interwove performances of Flight of the Piasa/Robert Sheldon, Khan/Julie Giroux, Country Club Stomp/JaRod Hall, Lucid Dreams/Adrian B. Sims, and In Living Color/Katahj Copley throughout the clinic presentation. The musicians played beautifully and had the chance to connect with ensemble directors from across New York State about what makes the culture of the Syracuse Youth Wind Symphony so musical, supportive, compassionate, enjoyable, family-like, community-centered, and JOY-filled!
If you would like to check out the slide-portion of our presentation, you can view it here: www.tinyurl.com/sywsnyssma
Earlier Saturday morning, nineteen of our SYWS musicians were invited to serve as a lab chamber ensemble for Mr. Michael Levine and the Dallas Brass as they presented a session on Small Ensembles and how a focus on chamber music in the large ensemble program empowers musicians to lead, grow, and serve their community. Our SYWS musicians played so well in this session as soloists, in duets, trios, like-instrument groups, and as the full Lab Band.
Six of our musicians spent the Winter Conference weekend performing as a part of the Conference All-State Band, Orchestra, and Choir, and Mia, Emily, Justin, Ian, Catherine, and Sarai will get their own congratulations post next week 🎉
It is powerful to reflect on how far the SYWS has come in only a little more than two years - thanks to all of our student-musicians, alumni, families, band directors, private teachers, schools, managers, directors, and friends who have supported us along this path.
Congratulations to the whole SYWS program for representing CNY at the State Level in such an impressive and inspiring way!
🎉🎶🎉
National Association for Music Education
NYSBDA - New York State Band Directors Association
