Eleven SHS Student-Musicians Accepted to MMEA Northeast Senior District Music Festival
Senior Will Napierkowski, sophomore Lucas Fox earn top scores in Northeast
SALEM (Dec. 6, 2023) – Senior trumpeter Will Napierkowski and sophomore pianist Lucas Fox received the top scores in the Northeastern District and led 11 student-musicians from Salem High School to qualify for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeast District Senior Music Festival.
Mr. Napierkowski and Mr. Fox were among seven musicians to earn recommendation to audition for the MMEA All-State Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 23 at Symphony Hall in Boston. Audition dates are slated for Saturday, Jan. 20 at Shrewsbury H.S.
Also earning All-State recommendation were seniors Casey Griffin (trumpet) and Emi Whitfield (flute); sophomore Will Towne (tuba); and freshmen Finn Hanger (trombone) and Frances Jones (choral singer).
Mr. Fox and Mr. Hanger were accepted to the MMEA Northeast Festival Jazz Band while Mr. Griffin, Ms. Whitfield, Mr. Towne and junior Dylan Beauregard (tuba) were tabbed to perform in the Concert Band.
Mr. Napierkoswki was accepted to perform with the Orchestra while Ms. Jones led four singers who will perform with the Chorus, including seniors Emma Bouldry and Austin Ryan and sophomore Em Clark.
“I’m proud of everyone who tried out even if they weren’t selected,” said Cyndi Napierkowski, Band Director at SHS and mother of Will. “Everyone grows and improves through the process and auditioning is a skill. I’m excited to hear the concert in January as I have worn many hats for the MMEA Northeast District over the years including the chairperson, but this is the final time that I’m attending as a parent as well. Both my daughter and son have been involved and my son graduates this year.”
The Festival is slated for Saturday, Jan. 6 (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) at Lexington High School (Sunday, Jan. 7 in the event of a snow day).
Rehearsals for the Festival are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 3 (3:30-8:30 p.m.), Friday, Jan. 5 (3:30-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 6 (8:30 a.m.).
For more information, visit the MMEA Northeastern District website and the Massachusetts Music Educators Association website.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
