Waterville music students travel to New York City

The Waterville Senior High School Select Choir performs in Riverside Church in New York City. Submitted photo

From March 31-April 2, 86 students from Waterville Senior High School traveled to New York City to participate in the Worldstrides Heritage Music Festival.

Two thousand students participated in the festival from around the country, performing music in Riverside Church and listening to feedback from professional musicians.

Six groups from Waterville performed, including Modern Rock Band, SoundCheck, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Concert Choir and Orchestra. Waterville students earned two gold and four silver medals for their performances.

While in New York, students went to the top of the Rockefeller Building, saw the Statue of Liberty close up by boat, and heard Broadway musicians singing at Gayle’s Broadway Rose Diner.

At the top of the Rockefeller building, from left, are Waterville Senior High School students Karin Zimba, Hannah Hafenecker, Robyn Brochu, Ava Moody and Nicholas Poulin. Submitted photo

Waterville student Karin Zimba was selected for the Ovation award, an honor granted to one student in the entire festival. Zimba was recognized for her outstanding character, leadership, and musicianship.

Students prepared music for the competition for months, and showed their commitment through extra practice, additional rehearsals, and a high level of excellence. Not all learning happens in the classroom, and the Waterville Music Department is grateful to the school district and Waterville community for supporting this opportunity for students, according to a news release from Colin Wheatley, Waterville Public Schools strings/orchestra teacher.

Fundraising by Waterville Music Boosters and donations from many local individuals and businesses helped the students share their talents with the wider world.

To learn more about the music programming in the Waterville Public Schools, or catch a concert email Wheatley at cwheatley@aos92.org.