The Lake George Jr.-Sr. High School Senior Chorus delivered an exceptional performance at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Majors Ensemble Festival, earning the prestigious Gold with Distinction rating, one of the highest honors awarded.
The festival brings together top-performing ensembles from across the region. Unlike traditional competitions, NYSSMA evaluations are based on a rigorous, standards-based rubric. Ensembles are judged on categories such as tone, intonation, balance, technique, and interpretation, and receive a rating of Bronze, Silver, or Gold based on how well they meet those standards, not how they rank against other schools.
“There’s an additional tier that I didn’t even mention to the students,” said chorus teacher John Alecci, “just to keep expectations grounded and avoid unnecessary comparisons. It’s called Gold with Distinction, and it’s not handed out lightly, it recognizes truly exceptional work. I think you know where this is going… the kids earned it.”
The achievement marks an incredible leap forward for the program. Just one year ago, the ensemble received a Bronze rating, making this year’s result a powerful reflection of the group’s dedication, growth, and musical excellence. Alecci credited the students not only for their performance, but for their mindset throughout the process.
“They understood that we weren’t competing against other schools, we were being measured against a standard,” he said. “And they rose to meet it.”
Students in grades 9–12 represented Lake George at the festival, showcasing the strength and depth of the district’s choral program. This recognition highlights not only the talent within the ensemble, but also reinforces the district’s commitment to providing meaningful, high-level opportunities in the arts.
All of the senior students shared that they began chorus between third and fifth grade, and agreed that earning a Gold with Distinction was an incredible and meaningful accomplishment.
“It was really exciting,” said senior Brooklyn Cornell. “Last year we earned a Bronze, so we worked incredibly hard to improve. As seniors, it meant so much to be able to show our growth and perform at that level in our final year.”