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Date: 4/13/2022
AGAWAM — Sean Colfer said being on stage in a chorus at Boston Symphony Hall was like performing on “hallowed ground.”
The Agawam High School (AHS) junior was among 500 students from around the state who recently performed there at the 68th annual Massachusetts All-State Concert. The concert, sponsored by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA), celebrated the talents of the “best and brightest” student artists in chorus, orchestra, concert band and jazz.
Colfer and the other students got to rehearse and perform under the direction of nationally recognized conductors.
“So many people have performed there — so many great musicians,” said Colfer, a member of the AHS Chorus since he was a freshman.
Getting on that stage, however, is no easy task. About 1,000 high schoolers audition each year, but only about half that number are accepted. Colfer first had to record an unedited audition track for the MMEA’s Western District honor choir and get a recommendation based on his qualifying score. Then he had to prepare a new audition track for the MMEA All-State Choir.
Colfer said MMEA selects audition pieces that are “purposely difficult” for students to perform.
“They want kids to screw up in at least some way to expose you and your ability as a musician,” he said.
“Symphony Hall is a very difficult stage to get on, so having that opportunity in high school is an incredible honor,” said AHS choir teacher Cameron Forman. He worked with Colfer to help him learn and record the music for both of his auditions.
Forman added that because Colfer “is such a wonderful musician, he did all of the work preparing for the concert — not an easy feat.”
Colfer also was motivated. He wanted another shot at being on stage in Boston. He had auditioned for the All-State Concert during his freshman year, but narrowly missed making the cut because of the sight-reading part.
“They gave me a minute to look at a piece, then I had to sing it to the best of my abilities. It’s very difficult — and I flubbed that part,” he recalled.
Auditions in February were just his second chance to make the All-State Chorus, since there was no concert in his sophomore year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Colfer inherited a love of music from his mother, who has played the bassoon since she was in high school. He has been singing in a school chorus since he was in fifth grade at Doering School.
He said what sets the voice apart from other musical instruments is how expressive it is, and that people are already used to using it for speech.
“Our voice is sort of a bridge over to music. You can use words and you can use sounds — there are many ways to manipulate your voice. It’s just a great musical instrument. Nothing else tops it as a musical instrument.”
Growing up he often found himself singing songs that he was listening to.
“I think I had a decent talent for singing at a young age. So, when the opportunity came to be part of an organized chorus, I thought, why not? It also was an opportunity to test what I can do,” said Colfer.
Preparing for the all-state concert put Colfer to a big test of his singing abilities. Being accepted for the All-State Concert was just the beginning.
More work — and more rehearsals — followed.
Forman said this year’s rehearsals that took place during the MMEA’s annual conference in Marlborough were particularly intense.
“Usually, rehearsals occur over three days, but because of the pandemic, the schedule was compressed into just a single day.”
For the first rehearsal, Colfer sang several different pieces for nearly 10 hours.
“It was pretty grueling. My voice was hoarse by the end,” said Colfer.
A less intense dress rehearsal that lasted about four hours was held at Symphony Hall before the concert. Then it was showtime.
Colfer said being on stage at Symphony Hall with so many other talented students — and hearing the full sound of the concert — was “a fantastic moment” for him: “I was stunned for a little bit. But as I got more comfortable, I felt great. I felt I like belonged there — I had made it through all the auditions and I had earned my stripes.”
Forman said he feels “incredibly proud” of Colfer for what he accomplished.
“He’s worked hard and certainly deserves what he’s earned,” said Forman. “His dedication, effort, and skill throughout his elementary, middle, junior high and high school music classes is paying off with this honor.”
This is Forman’s first year teaching choir at AHS. While he doesn’t know the history of AHS at MMEA, he said that because of the strength of the school’s program, there’s typically at least one student representing AHS in the MMEA All-State Concert’s honor ensembles each year.
Colfer said he would like to continue singing, but doesn’t plan on making music a career.
“I’m planning a career as a psychiatrist, but if I can do things on the side, like gigs, that would be great,” he said. “I do imagine myself finding groups to sing in at the collegiate level. Whether it’s a cappella or something else, I would love to continue singing.”