M-W musicians win top honors in Boston

CENTRAL VALLEY — On April 25, 117 students from the Monroe-Woodbury High School Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Voice Ensemble traveled to Boston, Mass., to participate in the Worldstrides Heritage Performance National Competition and received top honors.

After spending the day in Boston experiencing the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New England Aquarium as well as the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the students and their teachers David Crone, Bonnie Glazier and Richard Regan performed for world-class adjudicators from National Conservatories and against schools from across the country.

M-W brought home the top supersweeps trophy for having the highest overall combined score for three ensembles.

In addition, the Chamber Orchestra came in first in its class, the Wind Ensemble came in first in its class and the Voice Ensemble came in second with a gold rating

The Chamber Orchestra also brought home the trophy for best overall orchestra and M-W won the supersweeps highest instrumental rating trophy.

In addition, five students received trophies for their individual performances:

Ben Wilken, French horn.
David Nam, violin.

Theodora Horowitz, violin.
Saif Masood, viola.

Maureen Murray, cello.
All three ensembles have been invited to the Festivals of Gold next year held at some of the premier performance venues across the nation.

“Once again, our teachers and students proudly represented the Monroe-Woodbury community,” High School Principal David Bernsley said in the school’s press release announcing the students’ success. “Their commitment to excellence embodies the pride and spirit of the Crusaders.”