Whether it is on the stage in the 艺术 Center or Honickman Auditorium performing for parents and friends or in the Roberts Family Library playing for GA students, if percussion instruments are involved, you are likely to find Dominic Perazza ’25. A musician since childhood, Perazza has not just limited his performances to the confines of 十大体育外围平台排名. He has been lauded at multiple Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Festivals. 

最近, Perazza performed at PMEA All-State Wind Ensemble, making first chair out of nine percussionists. Perazza also performs for GA’s Honors Symphonic Band.

“The All-State performance was a really cool experience,佩拉扎说. “去年, I made first chair for District Band and Orchestra, 但地区赛除外, and I didn’t make All-States last year, but this year I plowed right through. I think the concert went well and the playing was amazing.”

Perazza said that to get into PMEA All-States, he first had to compete against hundreds of students vying for District Band and then Regional Band accolades. For All-States, Perazza said the audition process more stressful, but he still had fun with it.

“They give you the music and you get some time to prepare for it,佩拉扎说. “Then it's a blind audition. They'll face the wall so they can't see you; they're just hearing what you're playing, and they judge based off that. It was somewhat stressful when I got to Regionals, and I was auditioning for All-States, 但在大多数情况下, 我觉得很酷.”

Perazza added that he really liked the conductor that the group got to work with, saying that she brought a lot of energy and was able to connect with the musicians. The junior also said that the conductor made a lot of sports analogies, 这对他有帮助, a self-proclaimed “sports guy,要适应她的风格. Going forward, Perazza thinks that the experience from this year will only be helpful. 

“I was thrown into the deep end last year and I was honestly a little worried because I've never done anything like that,佩拉扎说. “Coming into it this year, I kind of knew what I was going to get into with the auditions. I think that helps with the confidence part too.”