Meriden District Festivals

_{The 2025 8th Grade Band Fest - Hosted at Maloney High School
Ricardo Valentin, Platt High School Band Director conducting}

In Meriden, all students have access to performing ensembles in grades 4-12 and every student studies music in elementary and middle school, with a variety of courses and ensembles options in high school. We believe the arts are a critical part of a well-rounded education. 

We pay particular attention to our Grade 5 and Grade 8 students across the district. The transition from Grade 5 to 6 and Grade 8 to 9 are such important aspects of students arts education, and the time when critical new beginnings take place. Grade 6 welcomes large-format ensembles, concert choir, jazz ensemble, select choirs, string orchestras and more. Grade 9 welcomes marching band, advanced ensembles, theory classes, and a variety of auditioned groups. 

Our District Festivals bring 5th Graders from all eight elementary schools together for one school day in order to experience large ensembles for the first time and work with middle school conductors. We host the following events annually for our different groups of students:

5th Grade Band Day 
5th Grade String Fling
5th Grade Choir Fest

Our District Festivals bring 8th Graders from all three middle schools together for one school day in order to collaborate on high school level literature and work with high school conductors. High school students at the host school mentor younger players in sectional environments. We host the following events annually for our different groups of students:

8th Grade Band Day
8th Grade String Fling
8th Grade Choir Fest

• EVENT STRUCTURE:
• Music is provided ahead of time to all students and is prepared during class time and as homework
• Students are bussed from home school to host school immediately after elementary school days begin (around 9:05) 
• Students arrive to host high school and begin rehearsals on stage by 9:45.
• Rehearsals and activities conclude at 11:55
• A 4th lunch wave is provided at the high school for all participants from 12:00-12:30
• Students have final activities, talkback and final performances between 12:45-1:15
• Students are bussed back to home schools in time for busses to be utilized for high school bus routes.  
• These are not public events and we do not have performances for audiences. The critical goals of these events are:
  • Equity: All students in our programs can participate. There is no cost, no transportation needed after hours
  • Discovery: Students experience large ensembles, new conductors and new levels of music for the first time
  • Collaboration: These are critical days for our teacher teams to work together, calibrate instruction and work with our students as a team