The Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association runs the Massachusetts State Marching Band Festival, State Concert Band and Orchestra Festival, State Choral Festival and State Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association State Concert and Choral Festival adjudicator Tom Seddon, director of orchestral studies and wind ensemble conductor at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, shares his observations with the Agawam High School Symphony Band at a post-performance clinic. The Symphony Band earned a Silver Medal at the festival. AGAWAM - The Agawam High School Concert and Symphony Bands both recently earned Silver Awards at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association state concert and choral festival, held at Greenfield High School.
Ensembles from around the region and across Massachusetts were judged against a performance standard by nationally acclaimed adjudicators, including Gerald Dolan, director of music at Ipswich Public Schools; James Mick, assistant professor of music education at Ithaca College; Donald Running, director of bands at Bridgewater State University; and Tom Seddon, director of orchestral studies and wind ensemble conductor at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.
Silver medals were presented to ensembles performing at an excellent level.
The concert band performed "Bonds of Unity," by Karl L. King; "American Riversongs," by Pierre LaPlante; and David Holsinger's "Prairie Dances." The symphony band performed "His Honor," by Henry Fillmore; "Pageant," by Vincent Persichetti, and "Variations on a Korean Folk Song," by John Barnes Chance.
"Both programs provided the students access to quality literature for the wind band and the opportunity to grow musically," explained Agawam High School bands director William Hueglin. "I am immensely proud of the work the students put into this music and the artistic results they achieved."
The Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association is dedicated to the study and performance of instrumental and choral music in the public schools across the state. It promotes music education by running the Massachusetts State Marching Band Festival, State Concert Band and Orchestra Festival, State Choral Festival, and State Solo and Ensemble Festival.
The association is also active in professional development of music educators across the state.