Annual District Music Festival - Join us Friday, February 2, 2024, 6 pm, PAC
Students from Vermont Music Educator’s Northwest District #1 came together this Thursday and Friday to participate in the annual District Music Festival. MMU, MVU, Milton, BFA Fairfax, Richford, Enosburgh, and BFA St. Albans comprise this district.
Auditions for this festival were held here at BFA in late November and students were placed in either the Chorus, Wind Ensemble, or Concert Band. This year’s conductors are from around Vermont. The Wind Ensemble is being led by Dr. Tom Toner from the UVM Music Department, the Concert Band by Rob DeBruyn from Middlebury High School, and the Chorus by Melissa Towle from Colchester High School.
Students rehearsed on Thursday after school and all day on Friday to prepare for the concert on Friday night at 6 in the BFA Performing Arts Center.
When asked about the festival BFA Chorus student Aurora Gilmond said “it’s a great way to make friends from other schools.” “It’s a good way to come with others and make music,” said BFA Chorus member Mikayla Bowen. Brody Chamberlain enjoys the challenge of “playing harder music than we can usually play in band here at BFA.”
BFA has been the host of several music festivals in recent years. The District String Festival was held here band in November and the All-State Music Festival was held at BFA this past May.
When asked about hosting festivals BFA Instrumental Music Director Eric Bushey said “I enjoy the challenge of coordinating such events. We have an amazing facility here at BFA that lends itself to smoothly holding these events. Staff enthusiastically welcomes students and I think it is valuable for the greater BFA student population to see just how many students engage in music at a high level in our district. I have also been impressed with the outpouring of support from the St. Albans community for this event, music is valued here in the Maple Run District and has been ever since BFA opened in 1930. This is a group of students who know the value that communal music-making can have in their lives. They generally continue to make music with others for a lifetime. My first festival experience as a High School Senior was here at BFA in this same district festival. Some of my closest friends were made in that group that met over thirty years ago, it is my hope that such relationships have been forged here as well."
Eric Bushey, Director of Instrumental Music