CUMBERLAND — St. Dominic Academy music teacher Jason Ward and eighth-grade chorus student Kathleen Dean participated in the Maine Music Educators’ Association’s District II Vocal Honors Music Festival at Greely High School on Jan. 27.

Dean, who sings soprano, is in her fifth year of singing in chorus and her third year at a District II music festival. After the festival, Dean was asked what she thought of the experience. She said she enjoyed making new friends and feeling the satisfaction of being a part of something bigger that came together like an “emotional symphony.”

Students participating in the Vocal Honors Festival Middle School Choir were selected based upon audition results. Dean was notified of her selection in November and has been preparing her music since December.

The festival provides musically talented students the opportunity to work together and perform with other students spanning the Maine coast from Portland to Yarmouth and goes inland to cover Bethel, Fryeburg, the Oxford Hills region, Turner and the towns in between.

“Personally, I am in awe of all the wonderful teachers, administrators, parents and community members that support school music programs,” said Terrie Dean, Kathleen’s mother. “With such programs, music continues to enrich the hearts and minds of our students. Thank you for the effort to keep music education vibrant and supporting music in our schools.”

As a freshman next year, Dean can audition for the high school vocal group.

St. Dominic Academy music teacher Jason Ward and eighth-grader Kathleen Dean pose before a performance at the District II Vocal Honors Music Festival in Cumberland last month.

Copy the Story Link