The 2025 All Star High School Concert Band conductor is Carla Newsome.
Carla is honored to have been chosen to conduct the All Star High School Concert Band at this year’s Northeast Instrumental Music Festival! She attended SUNY Fredonia, where she received a B.M. in Music Education while studying clarinet, and went on to earn her Masters degree in Multicultural and Humanistic Education from SUNY New Paltz. Currently directing the 4th-6th grade bands at Pine Plains CSD, Carla is also the director of the SUNY Ulster College/Community Band, an ensemble of music educators, community members, college students, and advanced middle and high school students.
In addition to guest conducting recent ensembles, Mrs. Newsome has participated in numerous Wind Conducting workshops, collaborating with and learning from Dr. Mallory Thompson, Col. Jason Fettig of the President’s Own Marine Band and the University of Michigan, Dr. Daniel Cook, Dr. Paula Holcomb and many others.
Carla also maintains an active private clarinet studio, preparing students for college auditions as well as participation in All-State, Area All-State, All-County, and various other honors. When she is not making music, she spends time with her family, including her husband of 15 years, and their 2 poodles, Shelby and Sonare.
The 2025 Great American Community Band conductor is Kathleen Richards Ehlinger.
Ms. Ehlinger holds a B.A. in Music Ed from the Crane School of Music, Potsdam, NY, and a M.A. in Music Ed from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia studying trumpet and conducting under the tutelage of Lt. Colonel Gilbert Mitchell of the US Army Band, Colonel Arnold Gabriel, and Professor Anthony Maiello. She has guest-conducted many All-County Festivals throughout New York State and is a NYSSMA Adjudicator for both All-State and Large Ensemble performances. She performs on her trumpet throughout the region with the Tri-City Brass Quintet, Signature Brass, Capital Region Wind Ensemble and is a member of the BWC Jazz Orchestra. She has been the director of the Guilderland Town Band since 2000 and recently retired as Director of Bands at the Guilderland High School. Her groups have earned consistent Gold with Distinction honors at the New York State School Music Festivals. She would like to thank her musical mentors for their continued support in the belief that music should not only be good but should touch the heart of every listener's soul.
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