Three Cazenovia High School student musicians recently were selected for New York State Conference All-State Music Ensembles and performed at the annual winter conference of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 in Rochester. The students rehearsed with esteemed conductors and other top student musicians from throughout New York State and performed in the historic Eastman Theatre.

Emma Wardell, a senior flutist, was selected for the All-State Wind Ensemble; sophomore Claire Edwards was selected for All-State Women’s Choir; and senior Ronan DeFanti was selected for All-State Mixed Chorus.

Wardell is a member of Cazenovia’s High School Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Chorus. Edwards is a member of the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Orchestra and String Ensemble. DeFanti participates in Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and Concert Band.

The All-State experience begins with a music teacher, his or her student and an accompanist spending countless hours preparing a NYSSMA Level VI solo which must be selected from repertoire lists in the current state manual. Last spring, over 6,500 sophomores and juniors from across New York prepared for All-State evaluations in the hope of being selected.