By Sarah Opdahl

Seventeen New Fairfield High School students recently participated in the Connecticut Music Educators Association’s (CEMA) Western Region Festival, a gathering that groups talented musicians from many schools. Choral Director Andrew Gadwah and Band Director Casey Hounsell are more than thrilled about the excitement surrounding Western Regionals and the amazing opportunities that are afforded to accepted students.

This year’s festival, held at Wilton High School on January 16 and 17, included thirteen choral students: Taylor Proto (tenor); Ashley Cornelius (soprano); Ava Ledda (alto); Molly Davis (alto); Kassidy Strazza (soprano); Khloe Seiferth (soprano); Evelyn Zegley (alto); Ammarah Basha (soprano); Leah Denise (alto); Christian Eklund (tenor); Lucia Eklund (soprano); Andrew Nittolo-Novotny (bass); and Nidhi Kanakagiri (alto). Four band students also participated: Frank Pintauro (Alto Saxophone); Cole Creighton (Trombone); William Waltimyer (Clarinet); and Quinn Rosin (Tuba).

The students spend months preparing for their auditions for Western Regionals. Gadwah said, “For the vocal auditions, I try to help my students be as prepared as possible. Students in my Chamber Singers class all have to learn and perform the solo audition songs for a class assignment, and students in my other choir classes can learn and perform the songs for extra credit. We also do a lot of work to practice sight-reading skills, which is another important part of the audition.” He also acknowledged that the  “students have a busy couple of months in December and January, with multiple concerts and performances – so learning all of this extra music for the regional festival is quite an undertaking! For my choir students, I hold practices after school and during the flexible REBEL block time during the school day to help them prepare.”

Hounsell explained that preparation for Western Regional band auditions “is very student-driven. I try to make sure students have all the tools they need to be successful, including access to the music, practice strategies, and guidance when needed. From there, the responsibility really falls on the students.” He went on, “They take ownership of learning their parts, practicing at home, and preparing independently for the audition. I’m always available for support, feedback, and check-ins, but the students truly lead the process, which has helped them build confidence and ownership of their music.”

There were higher numbers of NFHS acceptances into the prestigious collective in recent years, which Hounsell believes “is largely due to the growth of our program and curriculum. Over the past few years, we’ve been performing more challenging music in band and choir, which has helped raise the overall skill level of our students. As they become more comfortable with higher-level repertoire, the festival audition music feels more manageable, allowing students to prepare with confidence and perform at a higher level.” In addition, Gadwah sees a word-of-mouth phenomenon at play, “As more and more students participate in the festival, they bring that enthusiasm back to our school ensembles, which encourages more students to want to audition and hopefully be a part of the festival. Many of these students have auditioned multiple years as well, and so they improve their skills and confidence every time they try!”

The actual festival is nothing short of “life changing,” Gadwah explained, as his own experience as a teen led to his decision to become an educator. “For our students who enjoy and value our school music ensemble offerings, the regional festival is the chance to take that to the next level. It’s incredible for them to be working in massive ensembles at least twice the size of our school choir, working with all of the most motivated and talented music students in this part of the state,” he said. “When you are in an ensemble like that, you can’t help but be inspired. The students also learn so many valuable skills from the renowned conductors that CMEA brings in, which furthers their own musical development and appreciation. The two-day festival is an intense process, but one that is highly rewarding to be a part of.” Hounsell agreed, pointing out that “the experience creates a strong support system that challenges and motivates them to grow. Being surrounded by such talented peers pushes our students to raise their own musical standards and strive to be better musicians.”

“There are so many great things happening in our town and in our schools, and while it can be hard to find time to attend everything, I encourage anyone, whether or not they have a student in the music program, to come out and hear our students perform,” Hounsell shared. “Our students are incredibly talented and passionate about what they do, and they are always excited to share their music with the community.”