Members of Western Mass District Choir (back row, left to right): Jonathan D’Amours, Caden Boeri, Maria Pless, and Alexandra Russell. District Band and Orchestra members (bottom row, left to right): Mary MacNeil, Parker Atkin, and Charlotte Kazalski. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – “It was an eye opening experience to play with other serious musicians,” said Parker Atkin about his experience performing in the Western Mass Jr. District concert last year. This year, Atkin joins six other Gateway students who have all won spots in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association’s Western District Sr. Music Festival, the result of auditions held in early November.
Charlotte Kazalski was selected for the Western Mass District Orchestra on flute. Parker Atkin (trumpet) and Mary MacNeil (clarinet) made the Western Mass District Band. Caden Boeri, Jonathan D’Amours, Maria Pless, and Alexandra Russell all earned placement in Western Mass District Choir.
This is the first time that all of the Gateway students who auditioned were selected. With one of the highest scores in their own instruments or vocal parts, Atkin, Boeri, D’Amours, Kazalski, Pless, and Russell attained All-State recommendations, giving them the opportunity to audition for the state-wide festival.
Students will rehearse on January 5 and will rehearse and perform in a concert on January 12. The concert will be held at UMASS Amherst at 3 p.m.
Auditions for the All-State Music Festival will be held on January 26.
