Uppers Jo and Yoon Lead NH Orchestra and Band

Uppers Joonho Jo and Sydney Yoon participated in the New Hampshire All State Music Festival hosted by the New Hampshire Music Educators Association (NHMEA) this past weekend. Yoon played principal flutist for the band, composed and conducted by Brian Balmages, while Jo played first cellist for the second year in a row with the orchestra conducted by Lt. Col. Jason Fettig of the U.S. Marine Band.

Most states in the United States hold an All State Music Festival. In New Hampshire, students from schools all across the state prepare an audition piece chosen by NHMEA on their instrument of choice. During the audition, students are also tested on scales and sight reading.

The judges based their scores on not only the accuracy of the notes but also the musicality displayed by the performer. The top scorers were then chosen to fill four ensembles: band, orchestra, mixed choir and treble choir. “It’s like an all-star team for various ensembles,” NHMEA All-State Chair Edward T. Doyle said.

“As a member of the audience at the final concert, I can assure you that the musical performance was excellent. Our Exeter students definitely contributed to the quality of the event.”

According to Doyle, the “highest quality of guest conductors” then work with the students. One of whom, Fettig, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in 1997 as a clarinet player and holds a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Maryland. Jo interacted and studied closely with Fettig during the event.

This year, auditions took place on Nov. 21, 2015 at Manchester Memorial High School. Music instructor Charles Jennison offered to drive students to and from auditions, stating that “it is an honor for students to be chosen to participate.”

However, many Exonians were unable to attend due to a change in scheduling that conflicted with final exam blocks. After being chosen for the event, students prepared music independently until they attended the festival. Jo and Yoon were two out of nine Exeter students who auditioned.

On Thursday, April 7, Jo and Yoon arrived at their hotel in Concord, N.H. They then went to re-audition, determining the final seating arrangement for the instruments. For four hours that night, the ensembles held their first rehearsal. On Friday, the groups practiced for another nine hours during the day, and in the evening attended the All-State Guitar Ensemble Concert. On Saturday, the band and orchestra each had an hour-long dress rehearsal before their performances at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

“As a member of the audience at the final concert, I can assure you that the musical performance was excellent,” Jennison said. “Our Exeter students definitely contributed to the quality of the event.”

Yoon was “very proud of the music the group was able to make.” While the long rehearsals were demanding both physically and musically, Yoon said that she “learned a lot from her experience” and that “an invaluable lesson was learning how to be an effective and genuine section leader.”

For Jo, one of the biggest challenges he faced was keeping his stamina up during the long weekend. Although his hands were tiring out from hours of practice, he knew his group needed every minute they had to rehearse. Jo pointed out how normally an orchestra has time to work together and become a cohesive and dynamic group; however, at this festival they were given only two days to “get to know each other’s musical tendencies.”

As a section leader, Jo felt a responsibility to remind other cellists of their importance in the orchestra. He and his stand partner gave tips for each person’s parts such as fingerings, bowings, dynamic shifts and stylistic alterations. “On the last day, one cellist came up to me and complimented me for the work I had put in to make sure everyone felt involved,” Jo said. “That was one of my favorite moments and one of the most amazing compliments I have ever received.”

Overall, both students agreed that meeting other students who share their passion for music made participating in the festival worthwhile. “Yes, the music was beautiful, but the interactions with fellow musicians were really what made this trip worth every minute,” Jo said.