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More than half of the Winchester High School students who auditioned for the Senior District Festival have been selected for the competitive music event.
The Senior District Festival, hosted by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Northeast District, is scheduled for Jan. 10, with the concert band and orchestra performing at 10 a.m., followed by the jazz band and chorus at noon.
Students performed Nov. 15 for judges who ranked their auditions, selected top performers for ensembles, and recommended standout musicians for All-State Festival auditions, said Mary Costello, music director for Winchester Public Schools.
“So it’s kind of an all-star type of experience for the kids,” Costello said. “It’s really quite an honor for the kids to be selected and then be part of a whole series of festivals.”
For many students, such as Ha Yong Choi, a senior at Winchester High School, the process involves a blend of independent practice and mentorship. She is part of the choir and auditioned as a singer for the festival.
“I practice two days per week. And I keep listening to my solo.” Choi said. “Mr. [Joel] Buford, my choir teacher, he helped me a lot. I came to Mr. Buford and checked sometimes, like, ‘Do I seem right?’”
Camille Glancey, a Winchester senior who plays the cello, recalled being overwhelmed the moment she walked into North Andover High School.
“Everyone is carrying some sort of case, or they’re singing to themselves, which is, I think, really fun to see,” she said.
When her number was called, she and the only other Winchester cellist were led to the quieter audition rooms. Waiting outside, she said, her nerves peaked.
“Once the person before you leaves the classroom, then the judge will call you in,” Glancey said. “Then the next thing you know, it’s over and you’re walking back.”
Costello said the courage to audition is as commendable as success itself.
“Auditioning is a scary thing,” she said. “It’s an intimidating thing. It takes a lot of preparation. It’s brave.”
That bravery paid off for Winchester students this year. Out of roughly 60 auditionees, 30 were selected for the festival, and 18 moved on to All-State auditions, including Choi and Glancey.
Glancey said she improved each year, moving from the 16th chair as a sophomore to the 4th chair this year, earning her the chance to audition for All-State.
For Choi, who had auditioned since her sophomore year, success came with its own mix of relief and excitement.
“I was kind of nervous this year because I thought I did really bad on my solo piece,” she said. “But I also really [wanted] to get [into] All-State this year. So I was like, even if I get into senior district, I might not get into All-State. But I got a really high score. I was really happy.”
Both she and Glancey highlighted the support and encouragement from teachers and peers as essential to their preparation. Students often practiced together, offered feedback and motivated each other despite the event's competitive nature.
Selected students will spend three days in intensive rehearsals, culminating in a final performance in early January. Those moving on to All-State will face even more practice and competition, including auditions in late January and a performance in March.
Costello reflected on what makes the process meaningful.
“I’m actually more proud of the number of kids who took the audition than I am for the ones that I’m obviously proud of, the kids who were successful in their audition,” she said. “We’re happy for the kids who were successful. It shows their commitment, how hard they’ve been working.
Aayushi Datta is a student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.
