Meet Wantagh's music stars

The Wantagh School District announces that high school student-musicians Andrew Bloniarz, Julianna Nerone and Matthew Saltzman have been selected by the New York State School Music Association to participate in All-State ensembles at the annual NYSSMA Winter Conference, to be held at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester from December 5-8. Thousands of student-musicians auditioned for this honor last spring at NYSSMA solo and ensemble festivals throughout the state.

Andrew plays the cello and will participate in the string orchestra. Julianna, a violinist, will participate in the symphony orchestra, while Matthew, who plays the trumpet, will participate in the wind ensemble.

In addition, Wantagh High School students Patrick Constant, a tenor, and Mark Sales, a tenor saxophonist, have been selected as NYSSMA alternates. Although these students will most likely not attend the Winter Conference, being selected as an alternate is a prestigious honor and indicates that these students are among the top musicians in the state.