MANCHESTER – Each school year, high school students across the state have the opportunity to audition to perform in one or more state-wide music festivals. This year, Central, Memorial and West’s music programs will be well-represented at these prestigious festivals, with 14 students selected.
The festivals include the NHBDA Chamber Festival, which took place on January 13 in Durham, the NHMEA Jazz All-State Festival, which takes place February 8-10 in Derry, and the NHMEA All-State Festival, which takes place April 4-6 in Concord. The District will recognize all students at the Board of School Committee meeting on February 12.
“The Manchester School District is proud to send 18 individuals to these festivals, joining middle and high school musicians from all over the state of New Hampshire,” said District Fine Arts Director Ed Doyle. “Our students have achieved quite an accomplishment due to their high level of talent, commitment, and hard work over several years of musical study in the Manchester School District.”
“It's a testament to the efforts of all of these fine students, their supportive families, and the dedicated music teachers that have helped them achieve their fullest potentials,” Doyle said. “While at these festivals, students are provided a space to display their musical capabilities, and a chance to learn from distinguished clinicians and conductors. This is a proud time for the city of Manchester, and it speaks volumes about the caliber and reputation of our music education program.”
Here is a full list of students selected for the festivals:
Central High School
- Michaela Aufiero – All-State Treble Choir (Alto)
- Nathaniel Bannister – All-State Band (Percussion); Chamber Festival Percussion Ensemble
- Will Brewer – All-State Band (Percussion); Chamber Festival Percussion Ensemble
- Sophia Boisvert – All-State Jazz Choir (Soprano); All-State Treble Choir (Alto)
- Tommy Martineau – All-State Jazz Band (Trombone)
- Serenity Newton – All-State Honors Band; All-State Orchestra; Chamber Jazz Combo (String Bass)- Top Score x2!
- Lily Szulc – All-State Jazz Choir; All-State Mixed Choir (Alto)
- Jonah Therrien – All-State Jazz Choir (Drums)
- Katherine Thorner – All-State Honors Jazz Choir; All-State Mixed Choir (Soprano)
- Marley Walker – All-State Honors Jazz Choir; All-State Mixed Choir; Chamber Festival Treble Vocal Ensemble (Alto) - Top Score!
Memorial High School
- Colby Hales – All-State Orchestra (Viola)
- Jaidon Morgan – All-State Band; Chamber Festival Woodwind Choir (Bassoon)
- Rebekah Sanborn – All-State Jazz Band (Trumpet); All-State Band (Clarinet)
West High School
- Lindsay Jones – All-State Band (Baritone)
Middle school students honored
In addition to the high school music students honored, four of our middle school students have been accepted into the NHBDA Middle Level Honors Band. The festival for this will be held April 15 in Derry. The students selected all attend Hillside Middle School and include:
- Callan Keniston – Trumpet
- Morgan Losier – Clarinet
- Thomas Parr – Oboe
- Chance Rippert-Kirkhart – Flute
Congratulations to all students – we are excited for you to experience this opportunity.