Nine MWMS band students and two alternates have been selected to participate in the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) Middle School Honor Band, one of the state’s most distinguished ensembles for young musicians. The NYSBDA Middle and High School Honor Bands will rehearse and perform in person at the annual NYSBDA Symposium in Syracuse, NY. The dates for the 2026 Symposium are March 6-8.
The selected musicians are (pictured above from left):
Bryce Pinnock, Krish Malhotra, Samuel Chan, Donovan Ross, Luca Kai Castaldo (alt.), Sean Durante, Anthony DeVenuto, Carter Person, Derek Benavides, Aleksander Balbuena Matusiak (alt.), Ella Crowe
Selection for NYSBDA Honor Bands is highly competitive. Students are chosen based on their performance at NYSSMA solo festivals, recommendations from their band directors, and other musical achievements.
Bravo, Crusaders!