It’s a long name. It would be tough fitting “New York School of Music All Stars” on a billboard or a record label (if people were still buying records). But despite its lengthy title, the band is off to a good start. Last month it appeared at Bethel Woods with Foreigner and Kidz Bop.
The All Stars performed two numbers at the start of the July 18 show. Rose Tommasi was the vocalist for one of them. She’s entering her senior year at Cornwall Central High School.
As you would expect from the band name, Rose and her fellow All Stars take lessons at the New York School of Music. They formed the band in January. By the spring, the school was lining up places for them to play.
A representative from Bethel Woods came to hear them, and then the All Stars submitted a video that Kidz Bop reviewed. “They liked us,” Rose said during an interview at the newspaper office, which explains how she and her band made it onto the Bethel Woods stage.
On July 18, they car pooled to Sullivan County, and arrived an hour early. They got free food and private dressing rooms. As the young performers were getting ready, 80 of their friends and relatives were taking seats in the audience. The rest of the house was sold out.
The All Stars started with “Jump” and then they accompanied Rose as she sang “Somebody to Love.” At the end of the night, they got to spend some time with the headliners.
“They were really nice,” Rose said of Kidz Bop. “They’re great kids and amazing performers. To this day, our drummer can’t believe it happened.”
The All Stars will make their next appearance on Aug. 30 at Mazzstock in Marlboro. After that, they hope to tour.
