With just weeks to go before the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) festival, the band took the stage for a concert, showcasing their progress to date while preparing for the final stretch of performances.

All four ensembles delivered performances, demonstrating both skill and practice. The musicians showcased their dedication through precise execution and unified sound, reflecting hours of preparation. 

“I felt that the concert went very well,” band director Craig Hay said. “All four groups performed very well and represented Hopkinton super well.” 

While pleased with the results, the director noted that there is always room for improvement areas such as balance, timing, and overall connection were identified as key aspects to refine moving forward. 

“With all concerts, we always have a to-do list afterward of things we need to fix. I think the students know what we need to work on. We will make those changes and make things sound even better.” 

A First-Time Experience on the Podium 

This concert also marked a special moment for student teacher Daniel Rice, who made his conducting debut. Conducting for the first time in a live performance proved a challenge he said, but stepping onto the podium offers a new perspective.

“Conducting debuts is something we don’t talk about a lot,” Daniel Rice said. “We talk about leading up to it, but nobody tells how it’s going to feel during or after.” 

“One thing I really had to keep in mind was to get the people behind me out of my head. The only people who mattered in that moment were the musicians in front of me.” 

Despite concerns, Rice remained focused and confident throughout the performance. Preparation and rehearsals had played a key role in ensuring a smooth execution, and Rice approached the event with a steady mindset.

“A lot of students came up to me and asked if I was nervous, and I said, “No,” because I wasn’t. But then the concert band ended, and my heart started pounding in my chest. It was the first time I’ve ever performed with my back to the audience, and that was a different kind of experience.”  

Beyond conducting, Rice played a key role in preparing the student musicians, particularly the percussion section. This involved guiding students through rehearsals, refining techniques, and ensuring that each section was well-prepared for the performance.

“Watching [them] build from January to now has been incredible. I got to work with the percussionists the most in kind of a one-on-one situation, and hearing them perform at that level was just amazing.” 

Students Reactions

Rice’s conducting debut did not go unnoticed by the musicians, who had high praise for his leadership.  

“Mr. Rice was phenomenal, magical, splendid,” said Alper Rozy. “I feel as if that was his moment. Setting that tempo very high was a good decision and raised the excitement of everyone. He did a very good job at bringing the energy and being in the moment. And he was wonderful.” 

While some noted that the tempo felt fast at times, they were impressed by how well the band adapted under his leadership. 

“Mr. Rice was fantastic. I feel like we went a little fast, but we kept up, because we’re the good players that we are. I think it was good,” Kevin Zhu said. 

Tarun Prasanna noted that any nerves quickly faded once the music began. Stepping onto the stage for the performance brought an initial sense of anticipation, but the focus quickly shifted to the music.

“I think he was a little nervous coming up on stage, but once he dropped the first beat, I think he was fine. He kept us up to tempo. He gave good sounds, so that was pretty good for the first time.”

The Road to MICCA

With MICCA just three weeks away, the band program remains focused on refining its performance. While the recent concert was a success, both students and directors recognize there are still areas that need improvement.

“I’m just really happy that we’re in a good spot right now. Everyone’s excited to learn and get prepared for MICCA, and we’ll have a good three weeks,”  Hay said. 

Students echoed that sentiment, acknowledging the progress they have made while identifying key adjustments needed to elevate their performance. 

“We could do some work in certain areas. People just need to go home and practice a little more. But for the concert, when we got everyone together, it was very solid. Some major tweaks to make, and then we’d be sailing,” Rozy said. 

One area of focus is achieving a better balance across sections. Zhu emphasized the need for stronger contributions from the lower voices in the ensemble. 

“We need the low people to play louder. I can’t hear them at all. At the end, we also slow down a bit. So, we just need to make sure that we’re on top of the beat, that we’re moving forward, we’re playing two of the four as Mr. Hay would say—you know, all those great things.” 

For some musicians, the challenge is in mastering newer material. Prasanna pointed out that while percussion was solid and the band played well, the concert band still has room for improvement. 

“I think we were tight, mostly. Percussion was good. For a concert band, I think we could have been tighter, because some parts are new to people. There were some areas, particularly in “Seventeen Come Sunday” that needed a lot of work.”