Celebration Students in State Concert
March 14, 2010 by Jim Siegel
Filed under Around Town
Two Celebration high school students recently participated in an annual concert sponsored by the Florida Music Educators’ Association and held in Tampa. The concert not only features the best high school musical talent in the State but also raises awareness about the importance of the Arts in a well-rounded education. The four-day event included intensive instruction and coaching by several renowned conductors.
North Village resident Camilla Tassi performed in the final event of the week, the All-State Concert Chorus which highlighted both vocal and orchestra high school performers. Camilla graduated from Celebration K-8 School a few years ago and is now a junior at Winter Park High School. Winter Park’s Music Department was recently named a Grammy Signature School Finalist, one of seven in Florida and about 100 nationwide. Camilla is a student in the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, performs in 3 of the school’s choral groups, is an accomplished pianist, and sings in the Corpus Christi Church Choir. Last year Camilla was among 150 high school vocalists chosen to perform Mozart’s Kronungsmesse (Coronation Mass) with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the 2009 Florida Choral Directors Association Honor Choir.
In the All-State Concert, Camilla performed with the mixed chorus Star Spangled Banner (John Stafford Smith), Soul of the World (Henry Purcell, arr. Holland Jancaitis), Hanacpachap (17th Century Peruvian, arr. Oscar Escalada), Laudate Pueri (W.A. Mozart), Vereih uns Frieden (Felix Mendelssohn, arr. John Rutter), Somewhere (Leonard Bernstein, arr. Robert Edgerton), and with the All-State Symphonic Band I’m Seventeen Come Sunday (Percy Grainger).
Kalen Mercer, a Celebration High School sophomore who also graduated from Celebration K-8 School, won a B flat clarinet position in the All-State Concert Band in a highly competitive statewide audition. Only 32 were selected from over 1000 applicants. Confided Kalen, “When I joined band in the middle school, I was given the opportunity to try out all the instruments to see which one I liked best. I found that I had a natural talent for the clarinet. However, I also play the guitar and saxophone for fun.” Kalen, who is also a member of the National Honor Society, is the first musician in the history of Celebration High School to be selected for All-State honors.
At the All-State Band Concert, Kalen joined his fellow performers in Fanfare and Hymn: A Mighty Fortress (Jay Bobcook), Mock Morris (Percy Aldridge Grainger) , Forever Holding Close the Memories (Richard L. Saucedo), Four Dance Episodes for Band (Gary P. Gilroy), and Italian Rhapsody (Julie Giroux).
Said Kalen of the Tampa event, “It was inspiring to be there with other talented musicians my age. The event gave me insight to what it might be like to be part of a professional ensemble later in life.” Added Camilla, “The best part was so many talented musicians coming all together to make music. During the last few days there we would rehearse in the morning, go watch other groups perform in the afternoon and then sing on stage in the evening. I wish every day could be like this, filled with music — whether it’s studying, playing, or listening to it.”
Originally posted 2010-02-11 07:49:25.
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