District II Music Festival

Photo: Willson Moore, Leah Israel, Sam Harbison, Dorrie Pinchbeck, and Sarah Heath; with Nick MacDonald, Choral Director

Congratulations to our Upper School musicians accepted into the Maine District II Music Festival! James Bigbee, Sam Harbison, Sarah Heath, Leah Israel, Willson Moore, Dorrie Pinchbeck, Scott Ralston, and Genevieve Welch all traveled to Gray-New Gloucester High School on the drizzly afternoon of October 23rd. They presented great auditions for the judges, and were ALL accepted: 4 sopranos, 2 tenors, a bass, and an oboist.

The District II Music Festival, spanning two weekends of instrumental and choral music-making, takes place each winter and is sponsored by the Maine Music Educators Association. After the auditions, singers and instrumentalists from middle and high schools across the mid-southern region of the state come together to rehearse and perform under renowned guest conductors. This year’s conductor for the mixed choir will be acclaimed conductor, song leader, and composer Nick Page.

The District II Instrumental Festival takes place on January 30-31 at Leavitt Area High School, and the Choral Festival takes place on February 6-7 at Portland High School. Each weekend culminates in a concert on Saturday afternoon showcasing the great work of the students. Please come out to support our students!

Looking ahead, a number of Waynflete Upper School musicians are also busy preparing for the next festival opportunity. Auditions for the Maine All-State Festival take place on November 21 and 22. With a more rigorous audition process and drawing together students from across the entire state, the All-State Festival is an even more valuable chance for young musicians to work with inspiring leaders to make great music together. The All-State Festival includes band, orchestra, and chorus in one festival and will take place at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham on May 14-16, 2015.

Please see Nick MacDonald or Chris Beaven if you have any questions about music festivals and other musical opportunities at Waynflete.

More information about the Maine Music Educators Association and MMEA-sponsored festivals can be found at mainemmea.org.