Local Students Selected for CMEA Eastern Region High School Festival
Coventry High School (CHS) students proudly represented their school community at the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) Eastern Region High School Festival, held January 9–10, 2026, at the University of Connecticut. The festival brought together top high school musicians who earned their place through competitive auditions held in November.
Over the two-day event, students rehearsed with distinguished guest conductors before concluding the festival with a public performance at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.
The following students were selected for the Concert Band, conducted by Dr. Lauren Reynolds, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands at the University of Delaware School of Music:
- Maggie Coffey (Junior), tenor saxophone
- Reese Coffey (Sophomore), trombone
- June Darcey (Senior), bass clarinet
- Jillian Lariviere (Senior), oboe
Sophomore Maya Michel was selected to perform piano in the Jazz Band, under the direction of jazz musician, composer, and educator Brad Ciechomski.
The following students were chosen for the Mixed Choir, led by Dr. Austina Lee, faculty member at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut:
- Bennett Dong (Senior), tenor
- Isaac Hall (Senior), bass
- Yanielis Linarez (Junior), soprano
- Theresa Montana (Senior), alto
- Kyle Pelletier (Senior), tenor
Sophomore Robert DeCarlo earned a position in the first-ever Eastern Region Percussion Ensemble, directed by Matt Bronson, faculty member at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Many of these students will be auditioning for the upcoming All-State Festival, representing the school and community with exceptional musicianship.
This information was provided by the Coventry High School. For further information, please contact Hannah Cole at hcole@coventryct.org.