Darien High School Students Chosen For 2026 Western Region Music Festival

DARIEN, CT — Darien Public Schools on Friday announced that 27 Darien High School students have been selected to participate in the 2026 Connecticut Western Region Music Festival, an honors event that brings together high school musicians from across Western Connecticut.

The students were chosen through competitive auditions and will perform in band, chorus, jazz ensemble and orchestra groups conducted by guest conductors and music educators. The festival is sponsored by the Connecticut Music Educators Association and is scheduled to take place Jan. 16-17 at Wilton High School.

"Selection to the Western Region Music Festival is a meaningful recognition of the hard work and effort of our talented students," said Colleen Thompson, the district’s director of visual art and music, in a news release.

"We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the outstanding teaching of our DHS music faculty, whose dedication creates opportunities for students to grow as musicians, collaborators, and leaders. Their work continues to elevate the arts in our schools and our community."

The Darien students selected include:

• Band: Theodore Bouichou, Hannah Buser, Matthew Domenici, Addison Hills, Hamin Park, Moritz Schoenemann and Chloe Zou.
• Chorus: Sean Benevento, Milena Bernotas, Claire Butler, Elena Cappella, Patrick Coggins, Gabi Galluzzo, Hannah Huang, Anna Kays, Meihan Li, Caroline Micelli, Will Raskopf, Claire Wood, Kayla Huang and Bevin Maher.
• Jazz: Darragh Hallinan and Sutherland Wood.
• Orchestra: Stephanie Jiang, Oliver Chan, Alexander Gray and William Gray.

Darien High School’s music programs are led by Jonathan Grauer for band and jazz ensemble, Jane Minnis for orchestra and Christopher Andrade for chorus.

More than 225 Darien High School students currently participate in the school’s band, chorus, jazz and orchestra programs, according to the district.