Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Musicians to Take Talent to the All-State Festival
The impressive talent of Hamden Hall’s Music Department will take center stage at the upcoming Connecticut All-State Festival as a host of Upper School choral and instrumental students qualified for the prestigious event following their audition at the Southern Region High School Festival.
The students include seniors Vaani Chopra, Cooper DeGirolomo, Justinian Ding, Analiese Driscoll, Caleb Geary, Frances Gustafson, and Grace Wan; juniors Casey Armstrong, Annabel Beatty, and Monte Meng; sophomores Daniella Li and Jacob Schonberger; and freshmen Flynn Carney and Mae McDonnell. Sophomore Sissi Zhang was accepted for orchestra on the violin.
“Having so many of our students earn a spot in Connecticut All-State Choirs is a testament to the culture of excellence at our school,” said Upper School choral teacher Matthew Harrison. “Our talented musicians demonstrated artistry and literacy at the highest levels to be considered amongst the top high school singers in the state.”
According to Mr. Harrison, Mae earned 195 out of 198, which was the highest score for Hamden Hall. Vaani, Cooper, and Justinian are now four-year All-State qualifiers with Justinian also being accepted to the 2023 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Honor Choir. He was also a two-time National Association for Music Education (NAfME) National Honor Choir representative.
Casey and Vaani were also accepted to the 2023 NafME All-Eastern Honors Choir, which will take place April 13-16 in Rochester, N.Y., with a culminating performance at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre. Vaani was accepted in the mixed choir and Casey was accepted into the treble choir and is the first Hamden Hall student to be accepted by this program.
"I’m very happy for Sissi for making All-state and am proud of all of the students who auditioned for both All-state and Regionals this year" said Upper School orchestra teacher Melissa Hudson. "They are dedicated musicians who took on the additional challenge of preparing advanced solo pieces for their particular instruments."
Casey and Vaani were also accepted to the 2023 NafME All-Eastern Honors Choir, which will take place April 13-16 in Rochester, N.Y., with a culminating performance at Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre. Vaani was accepted in the mixed choir and Casey was accepted into the treble choir and is the first Hamden Hall student to be accepted by this program.
"I’m very happy for Sissi for making All-state and am proud of all of the students who auditioned for both All-state and Regionals this year" said Upper School orchestra teacher Melissa Hudson. "They are dedicated musicians who took on the additional challenge of preparing advanced solo pieces for their particular instruments."
Both Cooper and Monte had previously been accepted to the 2022 NAfME National Honor Choir.
The Connecticut All-State Festival takes place at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford from March 30 through April 1.Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
