March 2025 - Get ready for the Spring concert season, Advocate for Proposed Expansion of Music Programs, Get Involved with the AMA, view Fall concert recordings and learn about the AMA's apparel artwork contest. We also celebrate the recent accomplishments of our music students in the student spotlights. Finally, we share a special thank you to our donors, grantors, and sponsors.
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Spring Concert Season Approaches
March 2025 - Get ready for an exciting season of music as Ashland Public Schools proudly presents its Spring Concert Series! Performances will showcase the incredible talents of our band and vocal music students, featuring a diverse lineup of events. Audiences can look forward to public performances of pieces prepared for the upcoming MICCA competition, a special Composer Showcase highlighting the work of a local Ashland resident alongside student compositions. Additionally, the Ashland High School Choir will present Elevating LGBTQ+ Voices, a powerful concert aiming to foster inclusivity, awareness, and artistic expression through vocal music.
With a mix of classical, contemporary, and original works, this season promises something for everyone. We hope to see you in the audience at one or more of these fantastic performances.
Visit AshlandMusic.org/Attend to check out the upcoming concert season.
Make Your Voice Heard - Support Expansion of Music Education in Our Schools
March 2025 - The APS administration is proposing budget changes that will allow for the expansion of music education at Mindess and AMS. While details are still being finalized, we know that our community’s support will be essential in ensuring these positive changes make it through the budgeting process.
The AMA encourages all parents and guardians to stay informed and be ready to advocate at an upcoming School Committee meeting, where the budget will be discussed. The meeting date has not yet been set, but as soon as it is published, AMA will share the details along with guidance on how to best advocate for the proposed changes.
Get Involved With the AMA!
March 2025 - The AMA is looking for volunteers to collaborate with us in supporting the music performance groups in Ashland Public Schools! Whether you're a student, a professional, or a community member looking to give back, there are several ways to get involved.
We’re currently seeking a Social Media Intern and a Technology Administration volunteer to help amplify our voice and improve our internal processes. Additionally, several board positions are opening this year, including Publicist and Treasurer. If you have skills in communications, finance, or nonprofit leadership, we’d love to hear from you!
Explore the posting below for more information. If you are interested in learning about a board position, reach out to us at AMA@ashlandmusic.org.
Social Media Intern (2-3 hours per month)
Technology Administrator Volunteer (2-3 hours per month)
Fall Concert Recordings Available
March 2025 - Fall Concert recordings are now available! Relive the magic of our talented students’ performances and share the joy with family and friends. Visit AshlandMusic.org/ConcertRecordings to watch and celebrate the incredible work of our music programs.
A special thank you to WACA TV for preserving these musical memories.
Ashland Music Apparel Artwork Design Contest!
March 2025 - Calling all artists and music enthusiasts! The Ashland Music Association is hosting an apparel artwork design contest, and we want YOUR creativity to take center stage! Up to 2 winning designs will be selected to feature on new Ashland Music apparel, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more for the next school year.
Winners will receive
Bragging rights for creating the official Ashland Music artwork
A FREE t-shirt featuring their winning design
Submission Details
Submit high-resolution .png or .pdf files
Submission form: https://forms.gle/Lr76FZr6ovqMf4qNA
Deadline: April 4, 2025
For questions, contact the Ashland Music Association at AMA@ashlandmusic.org. Good luck!
Student Spotlight - AHS Senior Sarah Miksis Earns Second Consecutive Spot in Prestigious All-State Band
March 2025 - Sarah Miksis, a senior trumpet player at Ashland High School, has once again demonstrated her exceptional musical talent by earning a coveted spot in the Massachusetts All-State Band for the second consecutive year. This prestigious achievement comes after a highly competitive audition process, showcasing Sarah’s dedication, skill, and passion for music. As a member of the All-State Band, she will have the honor of performing at the renowned Symphony Hall in Boston on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Congratulations to Sarah on this outstanding accomplishment!
Student Spotlight - Ashland Music Students Shine at the Junior and Senior District Auditions!
March 2025 - Over 20 talented band and chorus students from the Ashland community have been selected to participate in the highly esteemed Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Music Festival Concert! This annual event showcases the region’s finest young musicians—providing them with a chance to work with renowned conductors and music educators to further refine their skills as they prepare for a grand performance that highlights their hard work and passion for music and affords them an opportunity to perform alongside their peers in a professional concert setting.
Students from over 70 schools in the district were selected following a rigorous audition process. Choir students were selected to the Chorus ensemble, while band students were selected to either the Concert Band (primarily consisting of woodwind and brass instruments) or the Orchestra (including a full string section alongside woodwinds and brass).
Senior Central District MMEA Auditions were held in mid-November and the Festival Concert was held on January 18th at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Congratulations to the following students who were selected to perform at the Senior Festival Concert:
Ariel Achildiev (Baritone),Band*
Nathan Gerlovin (Clarinet), Band
Sadie Gilhooly (Horn), Band
Millie Jaiswal (Bass clarinet), Band
Nathaniel Kinsman (Horn), Band
Daniel Lee (Clarinet), Band*
Spencer Leland (Timpani), Band*
Sabrina Lin (Clarinet), Band
Andrew Martin (Bassoon), Band*
Sarah Miksis (Trumpet), Orchestra*
Hasani Reddy (Tuba), Band*
Neha Ruthramoorthy (Bass clarinet), Band*
Erick Almeida (Bass), Chorus
Cora Franzella (Soprano), Chorus
Gabby Ilin (Alto), Chorus*
Hunter Meigs (Bass), Chorus
Jhosep Ramirez Gonzalez (Bass), Chorus
* Indicates the student, based on their high scores in the Audition, were given All-State Recommendation, allowing them to audition for potential placement in the All-State Music Festival.
Junior Central District MMEA Auditions were held in early February, marking the first time in over a decade that Ashland’s 7th and 8th grade students participated in the event. In addition, two 9th graders auditioned. Five students were selected to participate in the Junior Festival Concert, which will be held on May 3rd at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School in Blackstone. Congratulations to:
Sam Apostola (Clarinet), Band
Jonah Bloom (French Horn), Orchestra
Ben Deibler (Bassoon), Orchestra
Mark Mayatshikh (French Horn), Band
Kaiya Smits (Oboe), Band
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the students who auditioned and who earned a place in these prestigious festivals. The District Music Festivals are more than just an event—they are an opportunity for students to grow artistically, collaborate with fellow musicians, and experience the joy of high-level ensemble performance. Their selection is a testament to their commitment to excellence and the strong music education programs in our schools. The AMA would like to thank the Ashland Select Board and Bach Knives for generous grants that supported our students’ participation in the Junior and Senior Central District Auditions and Festival Concerts.
THANK YOU to our Grantors, Sponsors, & Donors!
March 2025 - The AMA is a parent volunteer run 501(c)(3) organization providing financial and volunteer assistance to the music performance groups in the Ashland Public Schools. We are grateful to ALL the grantors, sponsors, & donors that make our work possible.
Special thanks to:
Bach Knives for their generous grant to support transportation for a record number of students that qualified for the Central District Music Festival.
The Ashland Cultural Council for their generous grant in support of the AMA Winter Fair & the 2024 -2025 concert season.
Needham Bank for sponsoring the 2024 - 2025 concert season.
WACA for recording the APS Fall concerts.
BAM Films for their videography support at the Winter Fair.
Price Chopper and Shaws for their support of the AMA Winter Fair.
Visit AshlandMusic.org/support to learn how you can support music education in Ashland.
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