By Lowell High School Journalism Class

Lowell,MA-Two Lowell High School students qualified and performed in the competitive Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association (MMEA)- Northeast District Senior Music Festival on January 14, 2017.

Sophomore David Savoie and Junior William Mailloux were selected out of 1,000 high school musicians from over 50 cities and towns in the District.  Only 455 high school musicians were accepted to the final concert.

The festival, a music competition sponsored by the MMEA for the Northeast District of Massachusetts, culminates with a  multi-ensemble NE District Senior concert at University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Durgin Hall.

Savoie was chosen to play trumpet in the concert.  He was one of 20 students selected from the 53 who auditioned for the trumpet.

According to Savoie’s parents, Richard and Danielle Savoie, his interest in music took off when he was in 3rd grade.

“He began playing the cello with the String Project at UMASS Lowell. When he entered the Daley Middle School he told us he wanted to learn to play the trumpet. We said yes and he has continued with both cello and trumpet ever since,” stated Richard and Danielle Savoie in a recent email.

“David really is a self-motivated musician. He practices without being reminded and sets the bar very high for himself. I feel like all we’ve really done is opened the door and supported him. He does the rest,” said Mrs. Savoie, who is part of the Band and Flags Committee of the Friends of Lowell High School.  

Mailloux, who played snare drum, was selected with 13 students out of 22 competing to play the percussion instrument.

According to his father, Art Mailloux, William asked for a drum set at the age of 10 for Christmas, and has had private lessons for 4 years. His son attributes the music lessons, a year before the school offered band, as the key to his advancement in music.

Since then William has participated in Monday night band in middle school, played bass drum, snare drum and wind instruments.  This year William was named Drum Major of Lowell High School Marching Band, according to Mr. Mailloux.

“Inspired by his older sister Michelle, who was also a percussionist, he started his interest in drums at an early age,” commented Mr. Mailloux. “Playing the drums in Rock Band , Guitar Hero, and other video games while his sister sang or played guitar was always a favorite pastime.”

 

William plays  a wide range of percussion instruments in the Lowell High Concert Band, as well as in the University of Lowell Wind Ensemble.

David’s family also encouraged a culture of music appreciation in his home.

“Whether we were in the car, cleaning the house or having dinner…we have always had music playing, from classical to rock. I think that is part of the reason why David gravitated towards playing instruments at an early age,” added Mrs. Savoie. “We are very proud of him.”

In a school wide email the LHS Fine Arts Chairwoman Sharon Clark said, “I would like to extend congratulations to David Savoie and William Mailloux for their participation in the MMEA NE Music District Senior Festival Concert.”

(Stephane Silva, Courtney Murphy and Chhanraskmey Chhoun contributed to this story)

[The LHS Review original published the story 3/5/2017, after the name of William Mailloux was corrected the story was republished 3/7/2017]