Five Salem High School Student-Musicians Accepted to MMEA All-State Festival
Festival slated for Saturday, Mar. 21, at Hanover Theater in Worcester
SALEM (Feb. 10, 2026) – Five Salem High School student-musicians – including three vocalists – were accepted into the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Festival, the MMEA announced last week.
Senior vocalist Gavin Ryan and junior vocalists Frances Jones and Kaitlin Modaff will perform at the All-State Festival alongside senior tuba player William Towne and junior trombonist Finn Hanger.
“We are thrilled for each of our students and immensely proud of their work to get to this level,” said Ben Chertok, Coordinator of Music at Salem Public Schools. “To be considered among the best high school musicians in the state speaks to our students’ collective commitment and love of music.”
Both Mr. Towne and Ms. Modaff return to the MMEA All-State Festival for the second straight year, which is scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 21 (12:30 p.m.) at the Hanover Theater in Worcester. The Jazz Ensemble will open the Festival followed by the Jazz Band, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, Alto 2 (SSAA) Chorus and the Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass (SATB) Chorus.
Mr. Ryan will perform with the SATB Chorus while Ms. Jones and Ms. Modaff will perform with the SSAA Chorus. Mr. Hanger will play in the Jazz Band section while Mr. Towne will play in the Concert Band at 7 p.m.
The SATB Chorus dress rehearsal is slated for Saturday, Mar. 21 at 8:30 a.m., followed by the SSAA Chorus rehearsal at 9:10 a.m. The Jazz Band will rehearse at 10:40 a.m. and, following the 12:30 performance, the Concert Band will rehearse at 3:40 p.m. for its 7 p.m. performance.
The All-State Festival acceptance is the latest highlight of a memorable season for SHS musicians. In November, nine Nine SHS student-musicians were selected to MMEA Northeast Senior District Festival, with the aforementioned five recommended for the Mar. 21 All-State Festival.
On Nov. 2, the SHS marching band and colorguard captured the New England School Band Association (NESBA) Division 4 state championship following a perfect season of competitions.
For more information on the 2026 MMEA All-State Festival, visit mmea.org/ensembles.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. 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 unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
