WORCESTER—A record-setting performance by Worcester Public Schools students at a regional music audition has put the city’s high school musicians squarely in the spotlight.
Students from Burncoat High School, Doherty Memorial High School and South High Community School earned 36 acceptances at the Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association Senior Festival auditions, including 24 All-State recommendations — the highest number of festival acceptances Worcester Public Schools has recorded since it began tracking results in 2017.
The auditions were held Nov. 15 and drew hundreds of students from across Central Massachusetts. Approximately 65 to 75 Worcester students auditioned, competing for limited spots in district-wide ensembles. All-State recommendations are awarded to students who score within the top 40 percent of their audition room.
“These record-breaking achievements reflect the strength of our music programs, the dedication of our educators, and the talent we see every day in Worcester Public Schools,” Superintendent Brian Allen said in a statement.
The CDMMEA Senior Festival provides high school musicians with the opportunity to audition for district-wide concert bands, orchestras, jazz bands and choruses, performing alongside top student musicians from across the region.
Burncoat High School students earning festival acceptances included vocalists and instrumentalists across a wide range of disciplines, with All-State recommendations awarded to Natasha Aquah (alto), Marcus Dascelin (bass), Gianna DiPietro (clarinet), Keira Emmons (soprano), Imogene Gay (soprano), Emersynne Jones (euphonium), Grace King (soprano), Lucy Lasell (alto), Neve Leach (soprano), Miles Lefebvre (alto sax, jazz), Jarelis Lopez (soprano), Prasant Rai (snare drum), Carlos Rivera Ozoa (trumpet, jazz), Anna Ryan (trumpet), Jarret Shays (trombone), Sean Sullivan (tenor sax), Zoey Sullivan (soprano) and Jose Hernandez Rodriguez (tenor). Additional Burncoat students accepted to the festival included Zoe Bodinizzo, Rory Carpenter, Adriel Cole, Oluwatumishe Oluwayelu, Ellie Price, Michael Satchell, Diego Segura and Harrison Thibodeau.
Doherty Memorial High School students earning festival recognition were Jovani Dutremble, CJ Franklin (All-State), John Hickey, Levi Kasten (All-State) and Vitor Sousa (All-State).
South High Community School students accepted included Thomas Amos (All-State), Robert Buxton, Stacy Domingo (All-State), Nina Isallari (All-State) and Daniel Ong.
Worcester Public Schools serves nearly 25,000 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 across nearly 50 schools and programs.
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