By Claire Chow ’26

The Mercersburg Chorale, String Ensemble, Concert Band, and Jazz Band traveled to Middletown, PA, to participate in Music in the Parks: Hersheypark Adjudication on Friday, May 16. 

The groups performed at Middletown Area Middle School and High School, where they were adjudicated by judges. The Chorale and String Ensemble achieved superior ratings, Jazz Band ranked excellent, and Concert Band ranked good.

The Chorale performed two pieces: “O Love” by Elaine Hagenberg and “Eldorado” by Emma Lou Diemer. Arts faculty member, organist, and carillonneur Jim Brinson mentioned that the judges enjoyed the contrasting selection of pieces, showcasing a range of expression in “O Love,” as well as energy and precise rhythms in “Eldorado,” earning a score of 92.25 and placing first. Brinson is pleased with how Chorale always “steps up the energy when it comes time to perform.”

The String Ensemble, directed by arts faculty member Michael Cameron P ’26, performed pieces “(You Are) Amazing” by Brian Balmages and “Warrior Legacy” by Soon Hee Newbold. They achieved a score of 96.50 and were awarded first place. Cameron mentioned that the judges were very complimentary in their comments about the ensemble, speaking of a great sense of integrity among its members and how they seemed to understand the concept of “performing” rather than simply “playing.” “I believe that this is an example of what can happen when a group of people or even a single individual makes an effort to connect with those around them,” Cameron said.

The Concert Band performed “Arabesque” by Samuel Hazo and “Shenandoah” by John Mackey. They received a score of 76.50 and received a good rating, placing second in their division. The Jazz Band impressed the judges with “Long Lost Friend” by George Shutack, featuring soloist Ava Guzic ’25 on the alto saxophone; and “Little Sunflower” by Freddie Hubbard, arr. Mike Kamuf. They earned a score of 86.50, taking home an excellent rating and first place in their category.

Arts faculty member Shami Beni reflected on the year, mentioning how our music ensembles had a strong showing at the Hershey adjudication, and congratulated all the students for their hard work and great performances. 

Music in the Parks: Hersheypark Adjudication was the last performance featuring musicians from the Class of 2025, including:

Chorale: 

• Lucia Gamble, Norfolk, United Kingdom
• Mikahel Martínez-Arocho, Ponce, Puerto Rico

String Ensemble:

• Daniel Liu, Hagerstown, MD

Concert Band:

• William Feaste, Nassau, Bahamas
• Ava Guzic, Greencastle, PA
• Alfred Ma, Foster City, CA
• Mogere Nyakoe, Sparks, MD
• Albert Park, Incheon, South Korea
• Derrick Park, Jeju-si, South Korea
• Ellie Sapp, Nottingham, PA
• Jerry Wei, Shanghai, China

Jazz Band:

• Landon Britton, Vienna, VA
• William Feaste, Nassau, Bahamas
• Ava Guzic, Greencastle, PA
• Connor Hargraves, Mercersburg, PA
• Reagan Houpt, Mercersburg, PA
• Bella Levina, Dnipro, Ukraine
• Alfred Ma, Foster City, CA
• Khanh Nguyen, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Mogere Nyakoe, Sparks, MD
• Billy Quick, Denton, MD
• Ethan Stiffler, Huntingdon, PA