Making Music in Fine Arts

Dean Bell

During the first week of January, members of the Montverde Academy Music Conservatory traveled to Tampa to attend the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Conference to participate in Honors and All-State ensembles. Qualification for these ensembles began in early fall with sight reading tests followed by playing/singing auditions that are reviewed by a panel of adjudicators. If qualified, they become part of the ensembles who perform as part of the FMEA Conference.

This year, MVA Upper, Middle and Lower School students earned six placements in ensembles. Zayna JeBailey performed with the All-State Women’s Chorus, performing under Dr. Lori Hetzel form the University of Kentucky. Dylan Truenow performed with the All-State Men’s Chorus, performing with Dr. Leslie Blackwell from Kennesaw State University. Jason Tejada Chancay performed with the Middle School Honors Orchestra under the direction of Sarah Ball from North Gwinnett Middle School in Georgia. Lauren Kiernan and Apple Zhou performed with the High School Honors Orchestra under the direction of Bob Phillips from Alfred Music. Selina Xu also successfully auditioned into the HS Honors Orchestra, but was unable to attend. This year, Carine Hayes, a Lower School student, auditioned into the All-State Elementary Chorus and performed with Robyn Lana, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir. Students spent several days rehearsing with students from around the state and their guest conductors, then presented a concert to full houses of music educators and parents.

On January 18, eight members of our Concert Choir attended the first Lake County All-County Choir, which featured many top singers from schools across the county. Zayna JeBailey, Peyton Boggs, Amealia Hall, Giavanna Parker, Alejandra Quintana, Tyler Fricker, Dylan Truenow and Senti Hamlett, spent a full day rehearsing with the other singers that culminated in an evening concert at South Lake High School. The concert featured both a Middle School Choir, under the direction of guest clinician, Evan Powers, and a High School Choir, under the direction of guest clinician Melinda Fradley. Along with their separate numbers, both groups of more than 150 singers combined to present two mass numbers. This was an exciting day of great music-making and fellowship for all students involved.

Congratulations to the students on their achievements!