Sean Fearnley
DERBY —Derby Public Schools is excited to announce that Sean Fearnley, a junior at Derby High School, has been selected to perform in the Connecticut Music Educators Association’s (CMEA) Southern Region Music Festival, taking place at Maloney High School in Meriden on Friday and Saturday, February 4 – 5, 2022.
To be considered for the opportunity, Fearnley submitted a video audition to CMEA in November, in which he performed two solo etudes on the flute. He was accepted to the organization’s concert band for the February 4 – 5 performances. Concert band is one of five CMEA ensembles, which also includes orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble and in some regions, a treble choir.
“Sean is a highly motivated musician and dependable leader within the music program,” said Geoffrey Brookes, Derby High School’s music director, who also is a member of CMEA. “As a director, I give a lot of responsibility to Sean to coach and develop the members of the flute section. Sean’s leadership is highly valuable to the band program, and I am so pleased that he will represent Derby at the upcoming CMEA regional festival.”
Fearnley has been playing in bands in Derby since he started the clarinet in sixth grade with his first music teacher, then Derby High School and Derby Middle School Music Director Donata Lupacchino. Since then, he has added several instruments to his repertoire including bass clarinet, piccolo and flute.
“I am very happy that Sean will be participating in the Regional Festival representing Derby High School,” said Jennifer Olson, Derby High School principal. “Sean is a dedicated musician who takes pride in his work. The festival will showcase the talent of high-school musicians all over southern Connecticut. We are proud that Sean will have the opportunity to make beautiful music alongside other young musicians from across the state.” said Olson. “We are happy that our music director, Mr. Brookes, encouraged Sean to audition.”
Fearnley shared his thoughts about participating in the Regional Festival. “I am extremely honored to be a part of the western regionals band this year! I first learned about regionals when I was in middle school and I knew that it was something I wanted to pursue. I have been working very hard to get where I am today, and I am so eager to be included in a talented, disciplined and strongly motivated ensemble.
CMEA is the Connecticut chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and is the largest arts education association in the state. CMEA’s Southern Region is made up of high schools throughout New Haven County and most of Middlesex County. Through the CMEA-sponsored auditions, high school students across the state are placed in choir, band, orchestra and jazz band. The audition process is competitive, especially on instruments like the flute, and students must perform at a professional level to qualify for the festival.
The CMEA Regionals are open to both middle and high school students. Derby High School and Derby Middle School musicians should speak to their music teacher to learn more about how to participate in these events. Auditions and music festivals moved online last year due to the pandemic, but the festivals are coming back in person this weekend. Derby music educators always encourage their most capable instrumentalists and singers to participate in extracurricular activities, such as the CMEA Regional Music Festivals.
To learn more about CMEA, visit https://cmea.org/.
