Farmingdale Musicians Strike Gold with NYSSMA All-State Selections

Three exceptional student musicians from Farmingdale High School were chosen to perform at the prestigious 2026 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference, taking place December 3–6 in Rochester, New York. Four additional students were named as alternates, highlighting the strength of the district music program and its continued recognition across New York State. Selection for the All-State ensembles represents one of the highest individual honors for high school musicians across the state.
Selected through a rigorous audition process involving solo evaluations and sight-reading assessments, these students reflect the depth of the music curriculum at Farmingdale High School. Several students earned honors across multiple categories before selecting a single ensemble to represent their school and community during the 2026-2027 school year.
"Earning a spot at the NYSSMA Winter Conference reflects years of passion, early morning rehearsals, and unwavering commitment," said Director of Fine Arts Greg Warnokowski. "Our entire community is thrilled to see these dedicated students represent Farmingdale High School on the state stage."
The complete list of honored musicians includes:
- Kayleigh Murphy – Symphonic Band (Tenor Saxophone) & Alternate (Jazz Tenor Saxophone)
- Lincoln Keena – Mixed Chorus (Tenor 2)
- Shannon Tower– Treble Chorus (Alto 2)
- Leo Scardina – Alternate (Tenor 2)
- Jackson Defendini – Alternate (Euphonium)
- Scott Eckstein – Alternate (Bass 1)
- Timothy Broderick – Alternate (French Horn)

