Every year, band and choral groups from Nashoba Regional High School attend the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association competition, also known as MICCA.. This competition provides a unique opportunity for young musicians to perform for one another and work with skilled judges in music clinics following each performance.

This competition is unique in that it judges each choir or band separately, rather than in relation to other groups. Each group is assessed on nine categories: tone quality, balance & blend, intonation, expression & phrasing, dynamics, precision & tempo, articulation & diction, and technical facility. The groups are then awarded medals based on how they are scored in each category. Nashoba Band and Nashoba Choir have always done well at the MICCA music festival, but this year both groups took it up a notch.

Nashoba Concert Band, under the direction of Joseph McCarthy, worked hard for several months to prepare for the festival. They performed Amparito Roca, Amazing Grace and River Trail Expedition on Friday April 1, 2016 at Hopkinton High School, bringing home a Silver Medal for musical excellence.

Nashoba Concert Choir, under the direction of Rachel Glenister, prepared three unique pieces for the festival as well, performing Zion’s Walls, Je Le Vous Dirai, and Music Down In My Soul at Westborough High School on Sunday April 3, 2016. Concert Choir also brought home a silver medal for their fabulous performance, making Mrs. Glenister’s first trip to MICCA a successful one.

Clearly all of the hard work paid off; congratulations to both band and chorus!