Chelmsford Sophomore Scores Invite To Play Philly Music Festival

CHELMSFORD, MA — Grace Saba, a sophomore cellist at Chelmsford High School, was selected to attend the prestigious Philadelphia International Music Festival, her school announced Thursday.

Saba was one of 60 students from around the world selected to the Symphony Orchestra Senior Division program.

Karyn Crouthamel, her instructor, told Saba about the festival just two weeks before the audition.

"It looked really interesting, but I didn’t think I would make it,” Saba said. “It’s very limited and international, and I just thought, ‘no way.’”

But, 48 hours after the audition, she received the welcome e-mail.

Saba said she used her extra pandemic time to refine her technique on Bach Cello Suite I and Squire Tarantella. It paid off.

"I applaud her because she really took to more practicing and found more love for her instrument when other kids seemed lost," said Crouthamel. "The natural ability is there."

This July, Saba will get master classes and private lessons with members of the esteemed Philadelphia Orchestra; daily orchestra rehearsals; ear training, music theory and music industry classes, as well as a Grand Finale Concert at the end of the week.