On November 23, 2024, at Bellows Falls Union High School, Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25, Caitlin Masure ’25, and Evie Meyer ’28 took the stage with the VMEA DVI Fall Festival’s High School Concert Band after a virtual audition and long days of rehearsal. Ana ’25 and Caitlin ’25 played the flute, while Evie ’28 performed on the saxophone. The three musicians had to record themselves playing to audition, which gave them some time to prepare their piece. Once accepted, they rehearsed for nearly ten hours over two days, which culminated in a performance to an audience of over 700 attendees. The festival featured over 200 students from 18 schools, divided into four ensembles.

For Ana ’25, this was her second time performing in a VMEA DVI Festival after her first go around in 6th grade. “I’ve known about the different District Festivals since I started playing an instrument,” she explained. “I auditioned [again this year] because the last time I was a part of it I had so much fun. As a senior, this was my last chance to do it so I thought ‘why not?’” 

Vermont Academy’s long-standing involvement in this festival offers an incredible opportunity for students interested in the arts. “There is a (many decades) long tradition of Vermont Academy's participation, which is unique to private schools, in Vermont Music Educators Association District Festivals,” remarked Mr. Cady. “We are the only non-public sending school in the district.”

This season’s Winter Festival, held once again at Bellows Falls Union High School on Saturday, February 1, boasts the highest number of Vermont Academy students accepted into a single Festival in the 23 years Mr. Cady has been at the school. Luke Pennell ’26 and Oliver Norkun ’26 auditioned and were selected for the Jazz Ensemble, with Luke on piano and Oliver on drums. The Festival’s Choir will feature Raymond Feng ’25, Suki Lambert ’25, Caitlin Masure ’25, and Casey Rhodes ’27, all of whom were recommended by Mr. Cady. Their participation includes two full days of rehearsal leading up to the performance on Saturday evening.

Telling Luke ’26 during his freshman year at VA that he would be performing with the best student musicians from the southeastern part of Vermont in just two years would have surprised him. “I actually came to VA to do fine arts but I found myself in the music rooms all the time asking Mr. Cady any questions I had about music,” said Luke ’26. “I was disappointed with my audition, but Mr Cady assured me I did well. When I got in it was super exciting, and it felt good knowing all that practice had paid off!” 

Four-year senior Raymond ’25 said that his singing journey began in, “middle school, where I discovered my interest in singing and have made great friends in the choir.” He went on to note how he sees singing, “as a way to relieve stress and keep myself positive, while performing gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment.” To be bringing this passion to a larger audience motivates Raymond ’25. “It's the first time I've been accepted into something like this,” he explained. “I'm really excited to meet other fellow singers and learn from them!”

These Festival weekends are all about musical growth and fun, as well as a way to connect with other student musicians. “More than anything, I hope and expect that [these students] will leave the weekend with an improved sense of their own personal musical identity and ability,” said Mr. Cady. “They will all be mechanically better musicians after this weekend, but as importantly, they will be more confident in themselves and more excited to keep growing.” 

We look forward to hearing about the triumphs that come from this weekend and to see these artists take what they have learned and bring it to the VA stage on Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30 pm at Winter Performing Arts Night in the Nita Choukas Theater in Horowitz Performing Arts Hall.