EA student musicians have had several opportunities to share their talents at regional events over the last few months.

The Upper School Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble both received Excellent ratings and the Chamber Ensemble was chosen as the Best Overall string group at the Music in the Parks festival on Saturday, April 20 at Hershey Park. "We had an excellent showing at Music in the Parks this weekend," remarked Orchestra Director James Finegan. "I am so proud of our ensembles!"

Nine EA 5th and 6th graders participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Chester County Band Fest in early February. The students enjoyed practicing and performing with other young musicians from 23 area elementary and middle schools. Fifth graders included Xunnan Dang, Neo Wang, Hope Varga, and Ishaan Wani. Sixth graders Victor Tsai, Leo Wang, Zach Chen, and Aubrey Whitman also performed. The festival was held at West Chester East High School.

"Since November, our students have been preparing six concert selections for the festival," explained Lower School Music Teacher Deb Newnham, Hon. "Our students enjoyed the opportunity to perform with 100 other young musicians from area schools." 

Sixth graders Elizabella Lee, Caroline Quinn, Alina Wang, and Milo Zidek were selected for 5/6 String Fest and performed at Garnet Valley Middle School.

On Tuesday, April 16, eighth graders Anna Bradford, Parvathi Balakrishnan, Max Leung, and Kassi Patrick participated in the District 12 7/8 String Fest. They spent the day rehearsing in preparation for an evening concert. Mr. Finegan co-hosted the event at Marple Newtown High School.

Michelle Jiang '24 (violin) and Brian Lee '26 (cello) participated in the PMEA District 12 Orchestra Festival. "It was another great opportunity for our talented students to perform with their peers under an amazing conductor," said Mr. Finegan. Ethan Zhou '25 (saxophone) and Hailey Deng '25 (clarinet) participated in the District 12 Band Festival at Avon Grove High School. 

Hailey also represented EA at the 2024 PMEA Region VI Honors Band Festival at Downingtown West High School. "This ensemble was comprised of 124 of the top band student-musicians from Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties," said Band Director Ryan Dankanich, Hon. "Each earned a seat in the ensemble through auditioning for the District Band and subsequent re-audition to the region level."

Mr. Dankanich served as co-host of the festival. "Under the baton of Dr. Gary P. Gilroy (Fresno State University), Hailey and the ensemble rehearsed for two days and performed seven pieces of highly advanced band repertoire in a concert on Saturday, February 24." 

The Jazz Band shared their talents on Saturday, April 20 at the opening of the new Nemours Children's Health facility in Malvern.