Twenty-four students were selected for Central District Ensembles, which performs at Mechanics Hall on Saturday, January 16, 2016.

In order to be chosen, these musicians competed against their top peers across Central Massachusetts for the limited seats in this musical body.

Thirteen of the students who qualified scored in the top 50 percent and received an offer to audition for a part in the All-State Music Festival in March.

With over 1,500 members, the Central District of the Massachusetts Music Educator’s Association [MMEA] strives to support musical education for students across the state. The MMEA is a 501 non-profit organization and is a federated state chapter of the National Association for Music Education [NAfME] which boasts 60,000 NAfME student participants.

The objective of the MMEA is to advocate for music as a vital aspect of core education. It achieves this purpose in several ways by expanding students’ musical opportunities with programs like Districts.  

The list below includes those who will progress in the Central District Ensemble.

Bridget Brady, soprano

Sai Ekbote, bass

Katherine Johnson, soprano

Jennifer Lee, flute

Sarah Milnamow, soprano

Ha Neul On, violin

Jen Piekarz, alto

Merry Qian, flute

Maya Sagarin, trombone

Maria Tu, violin

Nellie Zhang, clarinet

All-State recommendation:

Zoe Chang, violin

Eric Coughlin, trombone

Nicole Dobberpuhl, alto

Henry Fournier, tenor

Christina Iverson, violin

Olivia Iverson, flute

Shyala Jayasinghe, soprano

Connor Jenks, jazz alto

Brian Keefe, jazz trumpet

Saloni Kumar, soprano

Kaitlyn Shreeve, flute

Hyun Shin, jazz trumpet

Andrew Travins, jazz bari