Hayden Carlotto, a junior at Minnechaug Regional High School, remembers the MICCA band competition. She was only a freshman then.
“I was a very timid player,” said Carlotto, ‘Chaug flutist. “I was worried that I wouldn’t be as good as the upperclassmen were when I would get to be their age.”
All that has changed now. On Saturday, April 5th, Carlotto was one of over 100 ‘Chaug’s ensemble that competed in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) competition, held at Belchertown High School. She is now a drum major and sectional leader who helps encourage the band alongside Mr. Morris, the Minnechaug Band director.
The recent regional competition assesses a group’s tone, style, intenations, and dynamics, and awards them with a medal reflecting their graded performance.
The Chaug band performed “Resound” by Niccole Punnio, “Irish Tune From County Derry” by Percy Granger, and “Washington Post” by John Pillip Sousa—three rigorous pieces that put their playing to the test. They have been working since December to perfect this performance the best they could.
MICCA is an extremely competitive competition that band directors across the state work hard to participate in. Mr. Morris knows the challenges that come with MICCA, and adequately prepared his students for a chance to take part in this rigorous event.
While the Minnechaug Band did earn enough points to receive a bronze medal, Mr. Morris is more impressed with how the group has grown as musicians. He spoke with the band after their performance and encouraged them “to not be discouraged” with their result.
He emphasized the technicality and attention to detail it takes to perform the concert’s music, and how the improvement of this group has been nothing less than phenomenal.
After the performance, the band has the opportunity to take part in a clinic, where one of the judges talks to them about what they can do to improve their playing.
During this year’s clinic, the band learned techniques about posture and breath support.
“It effectively improved my support and playing,” said Natalie Prolux, 11th-grade Chaug flutist.
Small things like these clinics help the band as a whole—and the students as individuals—create more moving concerts. The students didn’t just experience a chance to improve their playing, but also a chance to become more confident in their playing abilities.
The Minnechaug Band plans to attend MICCA in 2026, going back “stronger and hungrier”, said Mr. Morris.
They have their eyes on ranking higher, pushing themselves even more to become better musicians, and share their talents with the community. Until then, you can see the band perform at their annual POPS concert on May 7th at Minnechaug Regional High School.
