For more information contact:
Leslie Appleget
District Arts & Communications Coordinator
lappleget@napsk12.org
413-776-1632
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DRURY STUDENT EARNS TOP MUSIC SCORE IN COMMONWEALTH IN ALL-STATE MUSIC FESTIVAL AUDITION
NORTH ADAMS – Drury High School is proud to announce that 12th grade student Bradley Chapman earned the top score for jazz guitar in his audition for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Jazz Ensemble, earning not only the place of Chair, but also the top score in the Commonwealth: 161 out of 196. The audition requirements were very challenging and the audition for the part of jazz guitar was highly competitive, as only one jazz guitar player is accepted into the jazz ensemble. In music ensembles, the title of Chair (sometimes called First Chair) designates the principal or most advanced player in the section. Bradley will represent Drury High School at the All-State Jazz Ensemble during their concert at the 2025 All-State Music Festival.
For the 2025 Festival, MMEA has partnered with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), who will host the annual All-State Concert at the BSO’s Symphony Hall in Boston on Saturday, March 29th, 2025.
Also deserving of recognition are 12th grade student Atlas Lescarbeau and 9th grade student Haley Chapman for their high audition scores for the Massachusetts Western District Senior Festival earlier this school year. Lescarbeau earned a spot in the Second Violin section with a score of 157 out of 200, representing both Drury High School and Kids 4 Harmony, an El Sistema strings program of 18 Degrees, a longtime district community partner. Chapman earned the top score on jazz piano—176 out of 186—and also received an All-State recommendation; Chapman’s score is of particular note as she achieved it as a 9th grade student in a rigorous festival audition designed for 12th grade students who have had additional years of study. The Massachusetts Western District Senior Festival took place in January earlier this year.
“Bradley, Atlas, and Haley are exceptional students and exceptional musicians,” says Dr. Tim Callahan, Assistant Superintendent of the North Adams Public Schools. “They have actively engaged in Drury High School’s Fine and Performing Arts programming over their years at the school and their incredible accomplishments at the regional and state level show their deep passion and dedication to their musical craft.”
About Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA)
The Massachusetts Music Educators Association supports comprehensive and innovative quality music education for all students by promoting best professional practices for music educators. MMEA is a federated state unit of the National Association for Music Education. MMEA has approximately 1500 members, and provides leadership in professional development, advocacy, student assessment, opportunities for students, and providing a comprehensive, quality music for all students.
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