Groton musicians earn Central Massachusetts district and All-State honors

Seven Groton School musicians and singers traveled to Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, earlier this month for the sixty-seventh annual senior high school festival concert presented by the Central Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA).

Each performer earned their spot through competitive auditions. After two six-hour rehearsals, four ensembles—symphonic band, orchestra, jazz band, and chorus—performed a varied, impressive concert program on January 13. 

Brenda Li ’25 and Sade Pickering ’26 performed with the chorus, and Sade was chosen to be a featured singer in Rosephanye Powell’s “Sorida.” Amanda Chang ’26 performed with the concert band, and Brittany Deng ’24, Liv Ding ’26, Samuel Lu ’27, and Alexander Newman ’25 performed in the orchestra.

The packed house met each ensemble’s outstanding performance with enthusiastic applause and standing ovations. 

 

Four of the musicians will continue their MMEA journey at Boston’s Symphony Hall later this year, having auditioned and won spots at the All-State Festival in March.

Brittany Deng, Liv Ding, Alexander Newman, and Sade Pickering will all perform at the festival, and Liv will be seated as principal violist in the Massachusetts All-State Orchestra, after earning the highest score among all violists.

 

The All-State Festival is scheduled for March 23, 2024.