The Gorham Middle School (GMS) Chorus students were busy last month with three amazing opportunities and wonderful performances. They started the month with the District 1 Southern Maine Middle School Honors Chorus Festival. Twelve seventh and eighth grade students auditioned for and were accepted to the festival that took place on March 2 and 3.

One hundred and twenty students from all over Southern Maine came together at South Portland High School to work with guest conductor Camille Saucier. They presented a concert on Saturday afternoon. Three GMS students were featured soloists during the concert: Emelia Bailey, Madeline Downey and Ethan Ho.

The following weekend was the District 1 6th Grade Honors Festival. Six GMS students were nominated to the 60-member Honors Chorus, along with students from Bonny Eagle, Westbrook, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth.

They came together on March 8 at Bonny Eagle Middle School to rehearse with guest conductor Nathaniel Menifield and presented a concert that afternoon. Gorham High School student Erin Wentworth accompanied the chorus on flute.

Finally, on March 17, 12 GMS seventh and eighth graders participated in the American Choral Directors Association Maine Middle School All-State Choir under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Patrick Freer from Georgia State University. The students rehearsed all day in USM’s Corthell Hall and presented a concert that afternoon at First Parish Church in Gorham.