Congratulations to Amsterdam High School senior band student, Brian McNamara, who attended the 85th annual NYSSMA All-State Winter Conference in Rochester, Dec. 2-5. McNamara represented AHS playing trumpet in the All-State Symphonic Band. He was selected for this prestigious honor based on his NYSSMA All-State solo festival rating of 100 in the spring of 2020.

This honors ensemble is highly selective, accepting only the top musicians across the state. McNamara was selected to play first trumpet and sat second chair out of 18 students in the ensemble, ranking him second in New York state, an incredible accomplishment.

McNamara spent the weekend engaged in countless hours of rigorous rehearsals culminating in a concert Sunday morning at the Kodak Hall at the Eastman School of Music under the skilled baton of Dr. Russell Mikkelson, director of bands from Ohio State University. McNamara is not only an example of a young talented musician, but also someone who works hard to achieve his goals and what you can accomplish through dedication and practice.