Two Tabor Academy violinists, Rosella Liu and Kyle Tabata, have earned first and third chair, respectively, in the Massachusetts Music Educator’s Southeastern District Honors Orchestra. Cellist Violet Southwick and clarinetist Yaya Ma also made the district orchestra, with tenor Andrew Mottur making the District Honors Chorus.

Each year, students from the 136 public and private schools  audition, for spots in four Southeastern District honors ensembles (chorus, concert band, jazz band and orchestra).  Students who are selected for the group have the chance to rehearse and perform under some of the finest college conductors on Jan. 11 and 12 at Canton High School. 

“This year, over one hundred violinists auditioned for the District Orchestra,” explained Tabor faculty member Phil Sanborn, “Rosella Liu received the highest score of all of those violinists and was seated first chair, concertmistress, in the orchestra. Kyle Tabata scored one point behind Rosella and was seated third chair in the orchestra, due to a tie score.”

In addition, Liu, Tabata, Mottur and Ma also received All-State audition recommendations. They will audition the third week of January for the chance to play at Symphony Hall in Boston.

“We are so proud of their accomplishment,” Sanborn said of Lie and Tabata, “and look forward to seeing what they will do at the All-State auditions.”

The two students study the violin privately with Mr. Ethan Wood, assistant concertmaster of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, who offers private lessons at Tabor.