BUCKLAND — Students from the Mohawk Trail Regional School music department won big during the Annapolis (Md.) Music Festival, held in April.
According to Music Director Scott Halligan, Mohawk’s Select Chorus and Concert Chorus each won Silver Awards, and the Concert Band received a Bronze Award. Also Mohawk junior Adam Hallenbeck, a Select Chorus soloist, won the Maestro Award for outstanding musicianship.
The performances were recorded with commentary by the festival judges, who are music educators. Halligan has begun reviewing these recordings in the classroom with his students.
“The goal for this year’s trip was to include as many students as possible and for students to be able to participate regardless of their families’ ability to pay,” he said. The school district, the Mohawk Music Association and the Mary Lyon Foundation helped raise money for the trip. Students also participated in fundraisers and several local businesses became sponsors. Local cultural councils, the Shelburne Grange, the Shelburne Falls Women’s Club, the Charlemont Senior Center and anonymous donors made significant contributions, Halligan said.
This festival was produced by Worldstrides OnStage, a student travel company that coordinates high quality music festivals in major cities. Halligan said school music groups from all over the country came to Annapolis to perform, receive critical feedback and coaching. They also attended concerts and events in the Washington, D.C., area.