On Monday, Sep. 21, over 100 students from Bishop O’Connell, Paul VI, John Paul the Great, Bishop Ireton, and Gonzaga participated in auditions at Bishop O’Connell for the inaugural Diocesan Honors Music Festival. Students auditioned for orchestra, band, and chorus and were adjudicated by local professionals. The audition process included a prepared musical piece and a sight reading excerpt.
Nineteen students from Bishop O’Connell successfully auditioned and will participate in the Festival on October 29-31. Jesse Amoss (trombone) and Alexander Frustaglia (baritone saxophone) will participate in the Honors Band. David Koehlmoos (tuba) was chosen as an alternate for the band. Talar Berberian (cello) and Quentin Millora-Brown (bass) will participate in the Honors Orchestra. Paul Bean, Besa Bucaj, Ava Coffin, Zoe Forino, Jessica Gliot, Kathryn Hales, Caleigh Keegan, Peter Lucas, Ciaron O'Donovan, Emma Powers, Joseph Shank, Evan Stella, Vasili Varfis, and Elise Welsh will participate in the Honors Chorus.
The Diocesan Honors Music Festival was created to provide a valuable honors ensemble experience for our music students from the Catholic schools. The festival ensembles will be conducted by clinicians Mr. Anthony Maiello, Ms. Gene Pohl, and Mr. Michael Ehrlich. The festival will conclude with a free public performance on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Bishop O’Connell High School.