Rivers Musicians Shine at MICCA Festival
Nine soloists and ensembles represented Rivers at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Festival on May 9 and four received Gold Medal “superior” ratings from the judges.
Of the four ensembles that received Gold Medals, three were recommended for the Honors Concert at the conclusion of the festival that showcases performers that represented the highest level of performance in the opinion of the adjudicator.
The quartet of Itsva Hernandez ’16 (violin), Silvia Curry ’15 (clarinet), Rhea Teng ’15 (cello), and Emilia DeJesus (piano); the trio of Alex Clay ’18 (clarinet), MacKenzie Larkin ’18 (viola), and Estelle Luong ’19 (piano); and a vocal ensemble of Marissa Birne ’15, Olivia Ericsson ’15, Michaela Francesconi ’18, Nazeli Hagen ’17, Isabel Hardy ’18, Thabi Khumalo ’17, Joseph Nedder ’18, James Nydam ’15, and Jianna Voghel ’17 represented Rivers at the Honors Concert.
The Middle School Chamber Ensemble earned its first-ever Gold Medal as well. Abi Warwick’19 (violin), Sam Adams ’20 (violin), Cecily Bua ’21 (violin), Annie Heuer ’21 (violin), Catherine Cunningham ’20 (piano), Emilia DeJesus ’19 (piano), Estelle Luong (piano), Kate Eselius ’20 (clarinet), and Lindsey Perko ’20 (bassoon) played wonderfully to earn this prestigious honor.
Three ensembles received Silver Medals while two soloists received Bronze Medals to round out what was an extremely successful day for Rivers musicians.
"This group is one of the strongest middle school ensembles I've had the chance to work with at Rivers," said Chamber Ensemble Director Dan Shaud. "I'm delighted that their hard work paid off and they were recognized with a gold medal."
Emily Shen (clarinet) and Emilia DeJesus (piano); the Middle School Violin Quartet of Abi Warwick, Sam Adams, Cecily Bua, and Annie Heuer; and the Trio 2 of Ashley Burgarella ’18 (violin), Abi Warwick (violin), and Emily Shen ’18 (clarinet) were awarded Silver Medals while Ashley Burgarella and Alex Clay earned Bronze Medals for their respective solo performances.
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