LA musicians at the District III Honors Festival in January. Back row from left: Laim Card, Aiden Jacobs, Izzy Petersen, Connor McFarland, Isaac Thompson, Anderson Pierpan, Mitchell Straus. Third row from left: Ava Nery, Iris Pope, Imij Armstead, Kayla Cruz, Mariana Janik, Sophia Scott, Audrey Hufnagel, Maddy Kallin, Tristan Gammon. Second row from left: Benno Hennig, Kaydence Raymond, Violet Holbrook, Deja Ahmeedah, Jason Long, Maggie Sawyer, Cooper Swartzentruber, Eli Melanson, Jayden Brown. Front row from left: Matthew Long, Wyatt Stone.
Lincoln Academy student musicians attended the District III Honors Music Festival on January 27-28 at Mt. Ararat High School. Musicians auditioned for the festival in October at Maranacook High School. Of the 39 who auditioned from LA, 30 were selected for either Band or Choir. Liam Card and Cooper Swartzentruber were selected for both Band and Choir.
Nine instrumentalists were selected for in all-district band: Jayden Brown (clarinet), Liam Card (tenor saxophone), Tristan Gammon (trumpet), Audrey Hufnagel (flute), Eli Melanson (bass clarinet), Maddy Kallin (flute), Maggie Sawyer (tenor saxophone), Wyatt Stone (bari saxophone), and Cooper Swartzentruber (alto saxophone). Fourteen vocalists were selected for the mixed choir: Ava Nery, Mariana Janik, Imij Armstead, Violet Holbrook, Sophia Scott, Kayla Cruz, Matthew Long, Anderson Pierpan, Mitchell Straus, Connor McFarland, Harrison Pierpan, Aiden Jacobs, Isaac Thompson and Benno Hennig. Five vocalists were selected for the treble choir: Kaydence Raymond, Izzy Petersen, Deja Ahmeedah, Jason Long, Iris Pope, and Noa Burchesky.
“This was the first in person festival since January 2020,” said LA Band Director Liz Matta. “It was great to see those students be rewarded with the chance to be there with other musicians from around the district. Of the students who auditioned, the majority of them scored high enough to go. Those who didn’t make it still got great feedback about their playing and singing.”
“The students put in a substantial amount of work outside of school rehearsal time, first to prepare challenging audition music, and then to prepare the repertoire for the festival itself,” said Choir Director Emily Anderson. “It is such an invaluable experience for the students to be to work at such a high level with the top musicians in the district and to be part of something larger than themselves.
“Districts was a wonderful experience this year,” said senior saxophonist Liam Card, who chose to play with Districts Band after qualifying in both voice and saxophone. “It is always a pleasure to play with students who are extremely dedicated to their respective instruments. The festival is really a testament to the musicality of the students in the region. Most of us had never played together before, and we were still able to put the music together in two days to perform a wonderful concert.”
LA musicians will perform at a “Java and Jams” coffeehouse fundraiser on February 9 at 7 pm in Poe Theater. Donations made online and at the door will support the choir and band trip to New York City later this spring.
