WEST ORANGE, NJ — Following a well-received send off concert at West Orange High School on March 6, the wind ensemble traveled to the Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis, which ran from March 9 to 11, and wowed adjudicators, clinicians and audiences.
“It was a great trip,” Director Lew Kelly said in a press release. “The kids played fantastically … it was unbelievable!”
The Music For All Festival is presented by Yamaha and is considered to be the nation’s most prestigious festival for school instrumental music ensemble. This year celebrates the festival’s 26th year, and the wind ensemble was one of 59 high school and middle school concert band and percussion ensembles from across the nation selected to perform. They performed in concert, were evaluated by renowned music educators, and participated in master classes and special events. The WOHS wind ensemble was selected by a panel of esteemed educators and by recorded audition.
“All of the adjudicators and clinicians had nothing but praise for the wind ensemble,” Kelly said of the trip. “They were very impressed by the level of our students. The trip was a great experience for everyone involved. The students performed in a beautiful hall, to a very receptive, large audience. The clinic provided was from some of the top music educators in the country. The students got to hear many other great groups from around the country. They also participated in master classes from some of the top players and Yamaha Performing Artists on their specific instrument.
“The students represented their community and school in a such a manner that the entire town should be proud of them. It was a very musically rewarding experience,” Kelly concluded.
WOHS wind ensemble performs at Music for All Festival in Indianapolis added by Editor on
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