News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (Nov. 28, 2023) – Twelve Chelmsford High School student-musicians — representing band, orchestra and chorus — have qualified for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeast Senior District Music Ensemble.

On Saturday, Nov. 18, those students auditioned alongside over 1,100 other students from public and private schools across the northeastern part of Massachusetts, and only about 40% of those who auditioned were selected to participate in this prestigious MMEA event.

Five musicians earned first chair honors including Keya Upadhyay (flute), Ethan Jiang (tenor saxophone) and Ryan Blaine (French horn). Meanwhile, seniors Jack Tallent (tuba) and Kyle Pinto (trombone) both earned first chair honors for the second straight year.

Six CHS students received MMEA All-State recommendation, including Blaine, Jiang, Tallent, Upadhyay and Kyle Pinto, as well as vocalists Adam Pinto (tenor) and Cailin Deutschmann (soprano).

Amanda Roeder, music teacher for the vocalists who auditioned, said being selected into a Senior District ensemble is a significant accomplishment.

“These students competed against other high-level high school musicians from all over northeastern Massachusetts,” she said. “To be accepted reflects a high level of musical skill, careful preparation, and the ability to show grace under pressure. We are so proud of our students who take on these extra challenges to develop their musicianship.”

The MMEA Senior District Music Festival is scheduled to run Wednesday, Jan. 3, Friday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 6, at Lexington High School. Rehearsals will be conducted Wednesday and Friday with a dress rehearsal and performance Saturday.

Recipients of the MMEA Northeastern Senior District Music Ensemble included:

• Chloe Arroco, Alto, MMEA-ND Chorus, CHS Teacher Amanda Roeder
• Ryan Blaine,^*+ French Horn MMEA-ND Orchestra, CHS Teacher Matt Sexauer; previous: 2022
• Cailin Deutschmann,^ Soprano, MMEA-ND Chorus, CHS Teacher Amanda Roeder; previous: 2022
• Ethan Jiang,^+ Tenor Saxophone, MMEA-ND Band, CHS Teacher Matt Sexauer; previous: 2022
• Mikey Layes, Bass, MMEA-ND Chorus, CHS Teacher Amanda Roeder
• Rose Lovett, Soprano, MMEA-ND Chorus, CHS Teacher Amanda Roeder
• Cynthia Lu, Violin, MMEA-ND Orchestra, CHS Teacher Kate Comeau; previous: 2020, 2021, 2022
• Adam Pinto,^ Tenor, MMEA-ND Chorus, CHS Teacher Amanda Roeder
• Kyle Pinto,^*+ Trombone, MMEA-ND Orchestra, CHS Teacher Matt Sexauer; previous: 2020, 2021, 2022
• Jack Tallent,^+ Tuba, MMEA-ND Band, CHS Teacher Matt Sexauer; previous: 2020, 2021, 2022
• Keya Upadhyay^+, Flute, MMEA-ND Orchestra, CHS Teacher Matt Sexauer
• Joshua Wolman, Bassoon, MMEA-ND Band, CHS Teacher Matt Sexauer

^Denotes All-State Recommendation

*Denotes Student in CHS Band selected for MMEA-ND Orchestra

+Denotes First Chair Position

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.  This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students.  For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.