by Brian Twomey
Six students are performing at All-State Music Festival on March 20-22 at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Seven students from Hudson High were selected to audition to participate in All-State, and six made it. Usually schools are lucky to get one or two of the students selected to audition, according to chorus teacher Jeannette McLellan.
“It is always very competitive. There are many extremely talented and serious music students in Massachusetts,” McLellan says. Students have to achieve a high enough score at their district auditions to be invited to audition for states. The six students this year were not invited to audition last year, so they have worked hard to be accepted for this year.
Some of the students participating in All-State have been hoping to go to All-State since eighth grade. Most of the students who made it are juniors and seniors with one sophomore.
The students worked hard to prepare for the auditions. “I spend time with them if they request it, working on the audition piece. And, all the work they do in Camerata, Band, and Chorus is the foundation for their success.”
It takes serious dedication and patience to go all the way to the states. “All six students are serious music students who have been in band and/or chorus for 4 or 5 years at least. Several take music (piano, violin) outside of school as well.”
“This has been a goal of mine for three years,” junior Andrew Nugent said. He has been practicing twice a week for four years to reach this level. “I feel honored to participate.”
