By the Ashland Music Association

This spring, Ashland’s middle and high school band and chorus students took center stage at some of the region’s most prestigious music concerts and festivals, showcasing their talent, dedication, and passion for music. Their hard work and commitment to musical excellence earned them well-deserved recognition at these events.

MMEA All-State Concert

Two standout students from Ashland High School (AHS) shined at Boston’s iconic Symphony Hall on Saturday, March 29th, as they joined the ranks of the state’s most accomplished young musicians at the 2025 Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Concert. 

Senior trumpet player Sarah Miksis made an impressive return to the All-State Concert Band for the second year in a row, while gifted alto Gabriella Ilin, a junior, earned her place in the All-State Chorus. Their selection followed an intense, statewide audition process—an honor that reflects not only their exceptional talent but also their unwavering commitment to musical excellence.

MICCA Concert and Choral Festival

The annual Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Concert and Choral Festival is a three-day event held in eight locations across the state. The festival offers ensembles the opportunity to be evaluated by expert adjudicators from across the country, who assess each performance against a rigorous standard of musical excellence. This year’s festival, which took place April 4–6th, featured strong participation from the AHS Concert Bands, the AHS Concert Choir and the Ashland Middle School (AMS) Wind Ensemble. 

The AHS Concert Choir and both of the AHS Concert Bands (Blue and White) earned Silver Medals, marking impressive achievements for the high school’s music program.

After earning a silver medal last year, the AMS Wind Ensemble was ecstatic to receive a Gold Medal this year. But the excitement didn’t stop there! This talented group was selected to perform in the prestigious Gold Medal Showcase a week later, held at the Groton Hill Music Center.

CDMMEA Junior High Festival Concert

Five talented young musicians, four from AMS and one from AHS, represented the town with excellence at the Central District MMEA Junior High Festival Concert on Saturday, May 3rd, held at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School. The sold-out crowd was treated to a stunning showcase of talent, thanks to the dedication and hard work of these student performers. 

In the Junior Festival Orchestra, French horn player Jonah Bloom earned recognition as principal player, delivering a standout performance alongside bassoonist Ben Deibler. In the Junior Festival Concert Band, clarinetist Sam Apostola, French horn player Mark Mayatskikh, and oboist Kaiya Smits, who also earned the role of principal player, showcased their remarkable musical talents. 

Great East Music Festivals

The final festival of the season saw the AMS 8th Grade Band perform on Saturday, June 7th at Timberlane Performing Arts Center in Plaistow, NH, as part of the Great East Music Festivals. Held throughout May and June at various locations across New England, Great East Music Festivals feature expert adjudication and constructive educational clinics that emphasize growth, excellence, and musical development. 

The 8th Grade Band earned a Platinum Medal, a special ranking for the rare group that performs above and beyond a Gold Medal rating. This remarkable achievement capped off their middle school performance experience on an especially high note. 

Thank You to Sponsors

The Ashland Music Association (AMA) is proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our students! We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ashland Select Board and Bach Knives for generous grants that supported our students’ participation in these festivals and concerts during the 2024-2025 season. We are thrilled to have been awarded a 2025 BAA Grant from the Ashland Select Board to support our students’ continued participation in these opportunities next year. 

The AMA is a parent volunteer-run organization that provides financial and volunteer assistance to the music programs in Ashland’s public schools. Learn more about the AMA at http:///www.ashlandmusic.org or contact them at [email protected].