Nine SHS Student-Musicians Selected to MMEA Northeast Senior District Festival, Five with All-State Recommendation
William Towne, Finn Hanger earn third straight selections, join second-time recipients Wyn Stevick, Frances Jones and Kaitlin Modaff
SALEM (Nov. 26, 2025) – Senior William Towne and junior Finn Hanger led nine student-musicians representing the Salem High School Band and Chorus to be accepted into the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeast Senior District Festival, the MMEA announced last week.
Mr. Towne, a tuba player, and Mr. Hanger, a trombonist, marked their third straight year earning invitations to the Festival while senior trumpet player Wyn Stevick and junior vocalists Frances Jones and Kaitlin Modaff each earned their second straight invites.
All five musicians earned all-state audition recommendations while Mr. Hanger earned the highest score among jazz trombonists.
Earning their first Festival invitations were senior bassoonist Raymond Nguyen and senior vocalist Gavin Ryan; sophomore flautist Jenna Phelps, and freshman clarinetist Hannah Phelps.
“Out of the 24 students that auditioned, to have nine accepted is fantastic,” said Ben Chertok, Coordinator of Music at Salem Public Schools. “Several of our students auditioned on highly competitive parts, some of which only accepted one person. The educational goal, of course, is to grow as musicians and we are incredibly proud of all of our students who challenged themselves. The MMEA Northeast District Festival audition is very competitive with some of the best musicians in the state, and we’re overjoyed to see this many from Salem High School represented in this festival.”
The Festival is scheduled to run Wednesday-Saturday, Jan. 7-10 at Arlington High School. Rehearsals will be conducted Wednesday, Jan. 7, and Friday, Jan. 9 (4-8:30 p.m.) and Saturday morning, Jan. 10 (8:30-10 a.m.). Performances are scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. (concert band and orchestra) and 12 p.m. (jazz band and chorus).
Sunday, Jan. 11 is bookmarked as a snow date.
The honor is the latest for the SHS band program in what has been another historic season. On Nov. 2, the SHS marching band and colorguard captured the New England School Band Association (NESBA) Division 4 state championship following a perfect season of competitions. Members of the marching band include Mr. Stevick, Ms. Modaff and the Phelps sisters.
The band and music program’s success aligns with the District’s Strategic Plan, particularly its core tenets of elevating learning and centering belonging.
- **Finn Hanger (Jr.) | Band | Trombone
- *Frances Jones (Jr.) | Chorus
- *Kaitlin Modaff (Jr.) | Chorus
- Raymond Nguyen (Sr.) | Band | Bassoon
- Hannah Phelps (Fr.) | Band | Clarinet
- Jenna Phelps (So.) | Band | Flute
- Gavin Ryan (Sr.) | Chorus
- *Wyn Stevick (Sr.) | Band | Trumpet
- **William Towne (Sr.) | Band | Tuba
*Notes previous years
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
