4 Framingham High Musicians To Perform at Symphony Hall Today

Four Framingham High students will perform at Symphony Hall today, March 12, as part of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association’s All-State Festival.

Senior Paul Halberstadt (violin), sophomore Nathan Halberstadt (French horn), senior Chris McGillicuddy (trumpet), and junior Eric Tarlin (alto saxophone) will represent Framingham High, in an event that brings together approximately 500 top high school musicians from across Massachusetts under the direction of distinguished guest conductors.

The students met their fellow musicians at the Seaport Hotel on Thursday, March 10, for several days of intensive rehearsals that will culminate in performances by all four groups – Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Chorus – at Boston’s legendary Symphony Hall on Saturday. Living, practicing, learning, and performing together for three days is a rare opportunity to connect with other young people who are enthusiastic and serious about their musical pursuits.

To qualify for the privilege of playing in the All-State festival, students had to first successfully audition for and participate in Massachusetts Music Educators Association's senior district-level festival earlier this school year. Accepted students whose district audition scores were in the top 50 percent for their respective ensembles were invited to audition for All-State. Those students competed against musicians from all five MMEA districts across the commonwealth for coveted spots in the four All-State ensembles.

Senior Paul Halberstadt is already a veteran of All-State and All-National orchestras, and will be with the Orchestra again this year.

Sophomore Nathan Halberstadt and senior Chris McGillicuddy will each be part of the Symphonic Band.

Editor's Note: McGillicuddy is pictured in the photo attached to this report (far right) taken at the holiday concert at the Memorial Building. Photo by Petroni Media Company.

Junior Eric Tarlin will play with the Jazz Band, which is also scheduled to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island on July 31.

Framingham High School Instrumental Music Director Brian Cervone, who will support the boys throughout the festival, says: “It has been great to see these students grow during their time at FHS, and they have worked really hard individually on their music to earn this honor. It is a special thing for Framingham to have these students as a part of our music program and to see them represent our school at the All-State Conference. We are excited to have more and more students over the years both participating in Framingham musical ensembles and also refining their skills in other, outside-of-school programs. This is what helps our programs continue to improve.”

Unfortunately, no tickets will be sold at the door for today's performance.

Chorus performs at 1 p.m., jazz band at 1:30 p.m., orchestra at 2 p.m. and the symphonic band at 2:30 p.m.

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Video of Eric Tarlin's solo with the Framingham High Jazz Ensemble at the Northeast District Festival event this year.