Silver Success! St. Greg’s Band Hits All the Right Notes
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the St. Gregory the Great School Band - made up of 20 students in grades 3 through 8 - performed at Springville-Griffith Institute High School, where they received a Silver rating. They were one of over 40 ensembles receiving an evaluation, and the only Catholic School that participated.
Under the direction of Encore Experience’s Director, Mrs. Valerie Villa-Kelly, in her third consecutive year at St. Greg’s, the band impressed parents with a standout performance of three pieces - including The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa - an ambitious and exciting achievement!
The New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Majors Ensemble Festivals takes place in the spring and features school bands, orchestras, and choruses with more than 16 performers. Each group presents selected works from the official NYSSMA Manual for two judges, who provide detailed feedback and assign a rating of Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on overall musical and technical quality.
What’s the purpose of NYSSMA Majors? The festival offers expert feedback that helps both music educators and students grow, often serving as a meaningful culmination of the year’s musical efforts.
When presented with the exciting news, Principal Molly White shared, “Our band’s Silver rating at NYSSMA is a testament to the dedication, discipline, and heart our students bring to every practice, lesson and performance. We are incredibly proud of their achievement! We are especially grateful to Mrs. Villa-Kelly for her leadership, passion, and commitment to developing our students’ musical talents.” Mrs. White is a dedicated champion of the performing arts at St. Greg’s, supporting a wide range of musical opportunities for students.
Even more exciting performances are coming up this June, including the Darien Lake Music Festival, the school’s Spring Band Concert, Art Show, and Ice Cream Social, as well as the Instrument Fair - where students interested in joining the band in the fall can explore and try out different instruments.