YHS Seniors Selected as Alternates for All-State Performing Ensemble

Update: James Madden has since been selected to Area All-State. Way to go, James!

The news was music to their ears.

In September, three Yorktown High School seniors learned that they had been selected as alternates for the prestigious 2022 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble. Potentially earning the chance to play in Rochester this winter were Parsa Abdollahi Tirabady (violin), Klara Kunz (cello), and James Madden (tenor saxophone). These talented musicians were among thousands from New York State who auditioned for the All-State Conference last year.

Last spring, all band, choir, and orchestra students in the state had the opportunity to compete in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival, where they were judged on their musical ability. Students wishing to compete for a spot in All-State must perform the most challenging solos.

If selected, the students would be invited to perform on Dec. 1-4 at the Eastman School of Music.

Parsa Abdollahi Tirabady (Violin) 

What does it mean to be selected as an alternate for the 2022 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble?

I’ve been playing violin for a really long time, and it means a lot to be able to reach a level where I can play at such a high level.

When did you start playing music?

I started the violin in fourth grade.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Ever since I was little, my dad played me a lot of different types of music. When I started playing violin, I got introduced to more classical styles. I think just having different influences of music from different backgrounds and areas really kind of shaped the way I view music.

What do you enjoy most about the Music Department at Yorktown High School?

I really like the community we have here in the YHS Music Department. All the people are amazing and there’s just a sense of connectivity between all of us.

Klara Kunz (Cello) 

What does it mean to be selected as an alternate for the 2022 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble?

It definitely means a lot. I think it’s a really cool opportunity. Even just being an alternate is really cool because I know how difficult it is to get in.

When did you start playing music?

I started in fifth grade.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

I would say the person that most influenced me was my Russian piano teacher. I’ve been playing piano since I was little, and she was always very strict. Even when I didn’t want to practice, she made sure I knew my pieces.

What do you enjoy most about the Music Department at Yorktown High School?

Definitely the community, especially with Dr. Bahsin. He’s new, but he’s been amazing. He helped us form the National Music Honors Society at school. So, that’s been really great, too, since we’ve been able to have more community events.

James Madden (Tenor Saxophone)

What does it mean to be selected as an alternate for the 2022 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensemble?

I’m really excited to be selected as an alternate. I’ve wanted to get to All-State level for a while but Covid kind of shut down some opportunities. So, it was my last shot last year. I didn’t quite make it, but I was happy that I got close.

When did you start playing music?

I started the saxophone in sixth grade.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

For me, there’s a lot of music in my family. My aunt’s a famous Irish folk musician, and my dad’s a musician, too. And just being surrounded by it a lot, I was kind of naturally drawn to it. Then when I first got my saxophone, I was playing for hours a day.

What do you enjoy most about the Music Department at Yorktown High School?

I like a lot of the opportunities I’ve had to play different kinds of music. Whether it’s pit orchestra, classical pieces, or jazz band. I think we have a lot of different resources and great people who are experienced in many different aspects, even from the middle school to the high school. So, I think that’s definitely a very strong part of the program.