News release from F.A.M.E.
Twenty-three Milton High School musicians and singers have been selected to perform at the Senior Eastern District Music Festival at Boston Latin School on January 5, according to Dr. Noreen Burdett, director of music education for the Milton Pubic Schools.
The students were selected based on judges’ scores during the highly competitive district auditions held November 17. The auditions drew 965 students from across the region to Milton High School, which hosted the try-outs for the sixth consecutive year under the direction of the Music Department of the Milton schools.
Milton’s young musicians and singers will take part in band, chorus, jazz and orchestra performances with other top high school musicians from throughout Eastern Massachusetts. The eastern regional chapter of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association sponsors the annual festival.
Out of the 23 musicians who were selected for the district festival, 12 received scores that qualified them to audition for the All-State music festival, Burdett said.
“The district audition is very rigorous and challenging,” said Burdett. “We are very proud of all of the students who prepared for the audition, whether or not they were accepted to the festival. It is very exciting to have 23 students accepted and we wish our 12 all-state auditioners good luck on December 15, when they compete against students from all across Massachusetts.”
Milton High School students selected for the Senior Eastern District Festival are: Band: Dawn Barrett (clarinet), Simon Eder (French horn), Bethany Knight (flute), Rebecca Simms (tuba), Christine Stafford (clarinet). Chorus: David Cleckley (bass), Monika Cormack (soprano), Andrew Flynn (tenor), Bailey McDonnell (soprano), Kevin Mehdizadeh (tenor), Andrew Mowe (tenor), Jacqueline Ruscito (soprano), Garrett Sager (bass), Shaina Toon (alto), Eliza Trickett (alto), and Christian Urbina (tenor). Jazz: Will Hess (trombone). Orchestra: Kali Guise (cello), Kristen Ingraham (snare drum), Aminzie Marc (cello), Lily Moerschel (cello), Rose Moerschel (violin), and Phil Wikina (snare drum).
Students recommended for All-State auditions are: Simon Eder, Rebecca Simms, Andrew Flynn, Bailey McDonnell, Andrew Mowe, Garrett Sager, Eliza Trickett, Will Hess, Kali Guise, Kristen Ingraham, Lily Moerschel, and Rose Moerschel.
In addition, tenor Andrew Mowe has been selected to the All Eastern Division Honors Chorus, a regional performance group made up of students from Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and American schools in Europe. The eastern regional chapter of the American Choral Directors Association sponsors the program. Andrew will perform April 4-7, 2013 in Hartford, Conn.
“Milton High School has had only five students accepted to the Eastern Division Festival in the past 35 years,” said Burdett. “Bravo to Andrew!”
There are plenty of opportunities for residents to listen to these and many other talented young musicians of the Milton Public Schools during the holiday season. Upcoming performances include:
· Thurs. Dec. 6 – MHS Afterschool Ensembles at Milton High School, 7 p.m.
· Sat. Dec. 8 – MHS Carolers, at the Town Common, 3:30 p.m.
· Tues. Dec. 11 – Pierce Middle School Winter Concert I, at MHS, 7 p.m.
· Wed. Dec. 12 – MHS Carolers, at Fuller Village, 3:00 p.m.
· Wed. Dec. 12 – Pierce Winter Concert II, at MHS, 7 p.m.
· Thurs. Dec. 13 – MHS Winter Concert, at MHS, 7 p.m.
· Wed. Dec. 19 – MHS Carolers and MHS Key Club, at Unquity House, 3:30 p.m.
· Wed. Dec. 19 – MHS Carolers, at Fuller Village, 5 p.m.