WHS Concert Band Locks Down Several Awards

A four-day trip to New York City for the Windham High School concert band saw a slew of award-worthy accomplishments.

The fledgling band and chorus participated in the World Strides Heritage Music Festival, a national event that saw ensembles competing from locations as far as Quebec, California and Virginia.

In a message to parents on April 22, Jared Cassedy, who serves as the band's director, congratulated all of the participating students.

I am absolutely speechless and amazed – you have all done an unbelievable job and I am so, so, so proud of all that you've accomplished in such a short amount of time. The fact that this is only the third year the school has been open and that this is the first year we have four grades at our school makes this experience even more special. Each and every one of you made this possible and I'm so happy that you were able to be a part of it.

Cassedy also included specifics for each of the major individual and collective awards earned:

First Place Gold Medal in Class 2A (schools of 601-1,200 students): Highest medal – average of three scores between 90-100 (WHS Concert Band score an average of 94).

Maestro Awards – Natalya Tausanovitch, Flute and Patrick Fitzgerald, Trumpet - Adjudicators may select individual student musicians to receive the Maestro Award. This award is given to a select number of students from all ensembles who display extraordinary musical ability and sensitivity.  There were 6 students selected out of the approximate 600 students that participated in this entire festival, two of which were from Windham High School.

Invitation to the Festival Gold - this is an Elite Performance Series Festival that offers the finest components including the most distinguished adjudicators available and world-renowned venues.  Participation in this series is offered to ensembles that have achieved a gold rating.  We have been selected and can choose to participate at Carnegie Hall in NYC, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Illinois or St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco, CA.  

Adjudicator's Award – Adjudicators may select ensembles to receive this award.  This award is given to an instrumental group with an average score of 92 or higher.

Outstanding Band Award – this is the most coveted award of the competition and is given to the single highest scoring band (concert band, jazz ensemble, wind ensemble) in the festival.

Also taking home a silver award was the WHS chorus, which is directed by Karen Seyward.