South Windsor High School band, orchestra and chorus attended the All-State Music Festival in Middletown, Connecticut hosted by the New England Music Festival Association (NEMFA)  from March 14th through March 16th. 

The All-State Music Festival is a way for students to collaborate with other musicians across all of New England as it rotates through all the states. It was established by NEMFA, which is an organization that has been in existence for 98 years, according to SWHS band director and NEMFA Band Chair Angelica Jackson.

“It was amazing. We got an opportunity of flying in top conductors from all across the country,” Jackson said. “It’s really nice to see a nice mix of conductors that the students that are in the festival were exposed to.”

Jackson believes that working with a variety of conductors provides students with different perspectives on music and a different way of teaching. 

“It’s kind of similar to when you have different teachers every semester for other courses,” Jackson said. “And it’s also a great way to collaborate, like I said, with other musicians. 
So, I know a lot of our students in band met students from Vermont that exchanged phone numbers and met students from Maine. And so it’s nice for them to still keep in touch as a connection, even after the festival’s done.”

Jerry Zhu, a senior at SWHS had a lot of fun at All-State, noting that getting involved with a full orchestra like the one provided at All-State is a unique experience.

“I definitely encourage people to audition,” Zhu told The Prowl. “Audition experience is super necessary when it comes to becoming a better musician, and you have nothing to lose from auditioning.” 

Last year, this event was held in Worcester, Massachusetts and next year, it will be held at Keene State University in New Hampshire. In 2027 – the event’s 100th anniversary – it will be held at Dartmouth College.

Jackson will be the NEMFA band chair during its 100th anniversary and plans to keep up the hard work so that it is special.

“I hope to continue this legacy of this organization and continue the high caliber music,” Jackson said. 

NEMFA is doing a lot of fundraising efforts as an organization to make sure the 100th anniversary is one that students will never forget, including possibly bringing in world-renowned conductor John Philip Souza, who conducted the first NEMFA ever. He is considered the “father of the band,” and his presence at NEMFA’s 100th anniversary would provide a unique experience to all in attendance.