The annual Northern Central Connecticut Conference (NCCC) Music Festival took place on Nov. 13 and 15. This exciting event includes selected instrumental and choral musicians from Granby, East Granby, Bolton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Somers, Stafford Springs, Suffield and Windsor Locks.
Twenty-four students from GMHS participated in the festival, 14 of them taking part in the concert band, and 10 participating in the choir. The participants ranged from freshman through seniors, many of whom have attended the festival in previous years. Students missed a school day and travelled to Ellington High School for a tiring six-hour rehearsal, returning again two days later for another long rehearsal and a concert at the end of the night. Some schools additionally participated in a “prefest,” the week before hosted at Bolton High School, which provided students with the chance to work with their specific instrument or vocal group.
The festival provides students with a unique opportunity to collaborate with other schools from across the state. Mark Jones, a junior at GMHS, played in the concert band on clarinet. “It’s a fun way to create music with new people you wouldn’t be able to work with otherwise,” says Mark, participating in the festival for the past three years.
Ella Baggott, also a junior, participated in the festival for the first time this year on the trumpet. According to Ella, the NCCC Music Festival gives students the opportunity to “work with lots of different people and teachers from different schools and improve your musicianship.” Ella says she loved her experience at this year’s festival, and intends to take part in the event again next year. “I am a junior at GMHS and have participated in the festival for the past three years on the flute. I have always found the event to be a fantastic learning experience, and a unique chance to work with incredible musicians from around our state.”