WHS and WTA Band Director Patrick Kennedy with the Westfield Technical Academy band (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy Band Director Patrick Kennedy announced on Friday that 38 Westfield Public School student musicians have been chosen by audition to participate in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) District Music Festivals.
Some of the students will be participating in the Junior Festival, which is open to grades 6-9, and some will be participating in the Senior Festival, open to grades 9-12. The festivals take place at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Senior Districts on Saturday, January 13 and Junior Districts on Saturday, March 17. Some Westfield High School students are also eligible to audition for All State, which takes place at Boston Symphony Hall.
“I am proud of the work that our students and music staff have done to represent our school and community and wanted to share it with you. This is the first year that every WPS secondary school has participants in the festivals!” Kennedy said.
Students chosen to participate include:
JUNIOR CHORUS NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Kerry Turok, Director
Emma Avery, Grade 6, Voice
Ryan Beattie, Grade 8, Voice
Katie Breck, Grade 7, Voice
Lauren Carnes, Grade 7, Voice
William Flynn, Grade 7 Voice
Ashley Kane, Grade 6, Voice
Pratham Makonahally, Grade 8, Voice
Caroline McKenzie, Grade 8, Voice
Elena Silvia, Grade 6, Voice
JUNIOR CHORUS SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL David Gomes, Director
Camille Bruno, Grade 7, Voice
Nathahlie Diaz, Grade 7,Voice
Gage Elderkin, Grade 7, Voice
Melody Latshaw, Grade 8, Voice
Brayden Leary, Grade 6, Voice
Shane McCarthy, Grade 7, Voice
JUNIOR BAND NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Taylor Bertelsen, Director
Shannon Corbett, Grade 7, Trumpet
Jaiden O’Kane, Grade 7, Clarinet
Jay Scherpa, Grade 8, Trombone **High Score on Tenor Sax also
Kyle Scherpa, Grade 8, French Horn **High Score on Trumpet also
Ashish Sharma, Grade 6, Tenor Sax
JUNIOR BAND SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Brandon Babbin, Director
Mason Berube, Grade 7, Bass Clarinet
Elliot Glynn, Grade 8, Clarinet
Anna Urbanski, Grade 7, Clarinet
Leah Urbanski, Grade 8, Clarinet
JUNIOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Brandon Babbin, Director
Anton Bonacci, Grade 7, Jazz Bass **High Score
Makayla Yankowski, Grade 8, Trumpet **High Score
SENIOR CHORUS WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Korey Bruno, Director
Hannah Bruno, Grade 9, Voice
Karina Bruno, Grade 12, Voice **All State Recommendation
Leah Howard, Grade 12, Voice
JUNIOR BAND WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Patrick Kennedy, Director
Mackenzie Rae, Grade 9, Clarinet
SENIOR BAND WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Hadleigh Leclair, Grade 10, Trumpet
Aaron Muldrew, Grade 10, French Horn **All State Recommendation
Caitlynn Thomson, Grade 9, Flute
JUNIOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Yana Chumakova, Grade 9, Piano **High Score
SENIOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Steven Bonacci , Grade 9, Tenor Sax **High Score and All State Recommendation
Samir Ghalayini, Grade 10, Trombone **High Score and All State Recommendation
JUNIOR BAND WESTFIELD TECHNICAL ACADEMY Patrick Kennedy, Director
Angelica Chepurin, Grade 9, Flute **first WTA students chosen for district
Victoria Krapova, Grade 9, Flute **first WTA students chosen for district
“We’re excited, because this is the first time ever that students from all of the schools were selected for the District Music Festival. It speaks to the dedication of our teachers and our students, and to the phenomenal growth of our music program over the years,” said Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
“We’re proud of all the kids that tried out,” said Kennedy, who also reminded members of the community that they can hear these talented students this week at Westfield High School Winter Band Concert on Tuesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. – Westfield Technical Academy students have been invited to play “We’re big fans of collaboration,” he said, and at the WHS Winter Chorus Concert on Thursday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
“Lots of holiday favorites at both concerts. We would love the auditorium to be filled,” Kennedy said.
