Westhill High School’s Erin Althen named state's 2024 Outstanding Band Director

We are so proud to announce that Ms. Erin Althen, Director of Bands at Westhill High School, has received the 2024 Richard H. Snook Outstanding Band Director Award for NYSBDA - New York State Band Directors Association. This past weekend, NYSBDA held its annual Band Director’s Symposium and NYSBDA Honor Bands. At the final concert performance of the conference, Ms. Althen was presented with this award. Each year, one NYS Band Director is selected for this tremendous honor, based on nominations from colleagues across the state.  

NYSBDA states that award recipients are not only educators of excellence in their schools, but individuals who are contributing their time and efforts to their communities, professional organizations, and music education as a whole in New York State. To be considered for the award, the conductor must be a member of NYSBDA, be a current conductor of elementary, middle school, high school, college or community band, have a minimum of seven years of band directing experience, and maintain and support an effective band program which has resulted in a high level of performance of quality literature. This honor has been awarded by the NYS Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) since 1994.  

Congratulations, Ms. Althen!