MKA Musicians Meet With Outstanding Success
MKA musicians, vocalists and their directors met with outstanding success at various Music in the Parks competitions held earlier this month.
On May 1st, Middle and Upper School Strings performers, together with director Dimitri Hadjipetkov, traveled to Neptune, NJ for a day of competition. All the Middle Schools Strings groups received first place and an Excellent rating, while the Upper School String Orchestra took second place, also receiving an Excellent rating. Special congratulations go to the Upper School Advanced Strings group who, having received both the highest score and the only Superior rating of the day, received the Overall Award at the competition.
At the Trills and Thrills Music Festival, also held in Neptune, both the Upper School Concert and Jazz Bands, under the direction of Chuck Olsen, received the highest rating of Superior from the judges. The Jazz Band received a score of 97 out of a possible 100 points, while the Concert Band received a 93 out of 100. "This was our best adjudication in my 12 years at MKA," notes Olsen. This festival focuses on adjudication than competition, so rankings are not given.
On May 2, MKA Middle School Band and Jazz Band performers and their band director Linda Larkin, together with Middle School Choral singers and their director Maria Gilmartin, traveled to Dorney Park to compete against other schools in the tri-state area. The Middle School Bands had a truly remarkable day, each winning first place. The 4th Grade Band not only received a Superior rating, but also received the highest score of the day for an elementary school band. The 5th Grade received an Excellent rating, the Combined 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Band received a Superior rating and the Jazz Band received an Excellent rating. Additional congratulations go to 8th grader Peter Brown, who received the Solo Award given to the best soloist from all of the middle school jazz bands competing that day.
The Middle School Chamber Singers were equally successful, winning the Overall Choir Award by receiving the highest score of all participating choirs. The Chamber Singers took first place and received an Excellent rating, while the Tenor Choir and Girls' Choir also came in first place in their respective divisions. Special congratulations also go to 8th grade Chamber Singer Rebeca Lamb who won the High School Solo Singer Award.