East Lyme High School ’s performing musicians have something to crow about, following the Great East Music Festival in West Springfield , Mass., on May 2.
The Symphony Orchestra earned top honors, the platinum award, scoring 96 points out of a possible 100.
“The kids were fabulous,” said Karin Carlson, ELHS orchestra director. For the competition the 60-student orchestra of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments performed a string (fiddle) piece titled “Bluegrass Country” by Carol Nunez and the famous Aaron Copland piece “Hoe-Down” from “Rodeo.”
It’s a logistical and scheduling challenge to get all members of the orchestra together for practice, according to Carlson. The entire group rehearses together only once a month. Otherwise, the ninth graders meet and practice in one section and the 10th through 12th graders practice in another.
The High School Concert Choir is an auditioned mixed grouped of 37 singers comprised of mostly juniors and seniors and directed by Anthony Maiese, ELHS choral director.
The choir earned a gold medal for their performance of “Set Me as a Seal” by Rene Clausen, “Betelehemu,” a Nigerian carol, and “*** Sancto Spiritu,” the last movement from Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”
“The judges were very impressed with the choir’s musicality and professional attire and conduct,” said Maiese. Students are expected to wear tuxes and gowns during the performance.
The Concert Band and Symphonic Bands, both directed by Sue Johnston, EHLS band director, also were awarded gold medals.
Tenth grader Mitchell Kiah, bassoonist, played a solo in “Alligator Ally.” The modern piece was written in 2003 by a composer for his daughter to call attention to the fact that the American Alligator deserves to live in peace and its survival depends on the preservation of the American Everglades, Johnson said.
The 27-member concert band also performed “Legacy,” written by James Swearingen in 1996.
The 41-member Symphonic Band performed a more traditional number, “Semper Fidelis,” composed by John Phillip Sousa in 1887.
The band’s percussionists got to show off in a more modern piece, “Among the Clouds,” written in 2004 by Brian Balmages.
“It is about taking the listener into the minds of lucid dreamers as they drift off to sleep and dream of flying,” Johnson said. “Our percussion section [received] much praise for their performance.”
For more information about the music programs, visit www.eastlymeschools.org and www.eastlymechoirs.com.