SHS Junior William Towne Named to NAfME Eastern Division All-Eastern Honor Ensemble
All-Eastern Ensemble to perform Apr. 24-27 in Hartford, Conn.
SALEM (Jan. 2, 2024) – William Towne, a junior tuba player in the Salem High School band, was named to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division All-Eastern Honor Ensemble, NAfME Eastern Division Ensemble Chair Hannah Cole announced on Dec. 15.
Mr. Towne was one of 146 student-musicians – from Maine to Washington, D.C. – selected to the Ensemble which drew more than 2,000 applications. Only eight tuba players were selected to the Ensemble while 15 students from Massachusetts were tabbed. Selection for the Ensemble is based on recommendation from a music educator.
The All-Eastern Honor Ensemble Concert is scheduled for Apr. 24-27 at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, Conn.
The honor is the latest for Mr. Towne, who has enjoyed a stellar junior year. He was named to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeast Senior District Festival in November and was selected to audition for the MMEA All-State Festival Saturday, Jan. 25.
Mr. Towne is a two-time MMEA All-State selection and a member of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.
A converted trumpet player, he was inducted into the SHS Tri-M Music Honor Society on Dec. 4.
“William practices daily and challenges himself to solo music and ensemble music in addition to what we ask him to do,” said Ben Chertok, Coordinator of Music at Salem Public Schools. “He truly loves it. That’s the secret sauce.
“We’ve had a few kids in the past (selected for the Ensemble), but in my 19 years, it’s been less than 10,” Mr. Chertok added. “It’s like going to the All-States, but on a much larger scale.”
Mr. Towne is an equally impressive student who maintains a 4.65 cumulative grade point average. He is the son of Muriel Portugal and Scott Towne of Salem.
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.
