From First Notes to Statewide Recognition

Earlier this spring, Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School proudly sent 23 student musicians to the NYC Honors Music Festival — one of the largest single-school delegations in the city.

For many schools, that would define the year.

For Loughlin, it was just the beginning.

What makes these accomplishments even more meaningful is this: the majority of our student musicians had never played an instrument before enrolling at Bishop Loughlin. They began as beginners. They learned scales and tone production in our classrooms. They practiced before school, after school, and during free periods. Over time, discipline became confidence — and confidence became excellence.

 

That excellence was affirmed again at the 2026 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Festival.

NYSSMA is a statewide adjudication program that evaluates student musicians using a rigorous, standardized scoring system.

In total, our students earned 91 individual performance ratings at the festival.

Those numbers matter.

They represent more than scores on a rubric. They represent hours of preparation. They represent students who committed themselves to growth. They represent young people discovering talent they did not know they possessed.

For an urban Catholic high school in Brooklyn — not a conservatory, not an audition-based performing arts academy — these results are extraordinary.

 

Bishop Loughlin is the oldest Catholic high school in Brooklyn, educating leaders since 1851. Our Lasallian mission calls us to form the whole student — intellectually, spiritually, and creatively.

Music at Loughlin is not an add‑on. It is formation. It builds discipline, collaboration, leadership, and resilience.

It is independent and external — not a school-sponsored award, but an objective measure of musical achievement across New York State.

In a city known for specialized arts high schools, our students continue to compete — and excel — at the highest levels. At the same time, our program continues to grow. This year marked the launch of our new string program, expanding opportunities for even more students to discover their voice through music.

None of this happens by accident.

It happens because of dedicated faculty who mentor and challenge our students. It happens because young people are willing to work hard at something demanding. And it happens because our donors believe that excellence should be accessible — even in a school where most musicians begin with no prior experience.

Kudos to Department Chair Everett Wilson '91, Louis Maffei, Jalen Grandchamps '16, Kenny Pexton, and the many alumni and other volunteers who shape the program.

Because of that support, a student who has never played a note before freshman year can stand before a NYSSMA adjudicator and earn a statewide Outstanding or Perfect rating.

That is transformation.

That is mission.

That is Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School.

Educating Leaders Since 1851 — and still raising the bar.

This year, Bishop Loughlin students earned:

• 29 Perfect Scores
• 69 Outstanding Ratings
• 21 Excellent Ratings
• 1 Good Rating

 

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NYSSMA 2026 Student Achievements

Outstanding (26–28/28)

Perfect Scores – 28/28

• Jackson Babb & Dherson Maitre (Level 1 Snare Duet)
• Rieheem Bailey, Josiah Celius, Isaiah Reyes & Glen Williams (Level 3 Saxophone Quartet)
• Cesar Castillo & Eden Davis-Baldie (Level 3 Trombone Duet)
• Ashley Cabral & Tonia Henry (Level 1 Clarinet Duet)
• Eli Cumbo & Ethan St. Jean (Level 1 Snare Duet)
• Adam Delinois & Emanuelle Marcano (Level 2 Trombone Duet)
• Courtney Dubois & Rozie Phillips (Level 2 Flute Duet)
• Amoya Ellis, Mercedez McCray & Kingston Pauyo (Level 3 Saxophone Trio)
• Traycen French & Dherson Maitre (Level 1 Snare Duet)
• Cassidy Joseph & Madison Ulysse (Level 2 Flute Duet)
• Marlene Marks & Anisa Wedderburn (Level 1 Clarinet Duet)
• Chloe Montinor & Flora Williams (Level 1 Trombone Duet)
• Alina Moore & Zoe Rodriguez (Level 2 Clarinet Duet)

Outstanding – 27/28

• Liyah Bryant & Daneiya Garner (Level 2 Trombone Duet)
• Liyah Bryant, Adam Delinois, Daneiya Garner & Emanuelle Marcano (Level 2 Trombone Quartet)
• Myles Bryant & Hayley Farrow (Level 3 Trumpet Duet)
• Saquan Brown & Caleb Callendar (Level 1 Trombone Duet)
• Nicole Byam & Jordin Francois (Level 2 Clarinet Duet)
• Christnah-el Charles & Jason Jeanty (Level 1 Saxophone Duet)
• Jai Darroch & Jaden Mahase (Level 1 Saxophone Duet)
• Jeremiah Duke & Levi-George Richardson (Level 1 Trombone Duet)
• Taniah Hibbert & Sierra Wilson (Level 3 Clarinet Duet)
• Kyle Malliet & Subria Nedd (Level 1 Clarinet Duet)
• Natalie Moore & Imani Thomas (Level 1 Flute Duet)
• Jayni Reid & Nia Sylvester (Level 1 Flute Duet)

Outstanding – 26/28

• Katelynn Airhaivbere & Kylie Austin (Level 1 Flute Duet)
• Morgan Bass & Jeremy Roach (Level 1 Snare Duet)
• Alijah Liles & Devon Vincent (Level 1 Clarinet Duet)
• Josiah Marquis & Liam Scrubb (Level 3 Snare Duet)
• Christian Ortega & Isaiah Reyes (Level 1 Saxophone Duet)

Excellent (23–25/28)

• Andrew Bain-Hamilton & Kayla J. Harrison (Level 2 Saxophone Duet)
• Sebastien Calixte & Isaiah Wilson (Level 1 Trumpet Duet)
• Nia Fleary & Jackson Wolman (Level 2 Trumpet Duet)
• Najah Flemming & Jaeden Mann (Level 3 Clarinet Duet)
• Malainy Harris & Damani Morris (Level 1 Saxophone Duet)
• Jocelyn John & Dashawn Martin (Level 2 Trumpet Duet)
• Leah Gethers & Tyler Rhoden (Level 3 Saxophone Duet)
• Kyle Malliet (Level 3 Violin Solo)
• Vaughn Catlett & Jefferson Paul (Level 1 Trumpet Duet)
• Jada Elcock & Bryce Hall (Level 2 Saxophone Duet)
• Jaiden Johnson & Kitonya Olivierre (Level 1 Trumpet Duet)

Good

• Jackson Wolman (Level 3 Trumpet Solo)