On January 9, 2025, Goffstown High School hosted the Granite State Invitational Music Festival. During this festival, music students from across New Hampshire spent the whole day rehearsing in the school for the concert that occurred in the evening. “The day is mostly filled with practicing, and there’s some breaks, and then we have lunch and dinner.” Stated Sophia Garceau, a senior at Goffstown High School.

All students who participated in the festival were given the music before the event to get themselves assimilated with what they would be performing. Having the opportunity to practice the music beforehand ensures a better overall quality of performance from the students because it allows for them to refine their skills in the pieces being performed. “I think we got the music about a month before the festival, and then we all had to practice on our own time.” Recalled Garceau.

The process of determining who is performing for the music festival is quite different from a standard concert at Goffstown High School. The Granite State Invitational Music Festival is invite only, making it a highly selective event that only a small number of students from each school can attend. Students who do end up being part of the festival are nominated by their school’s music director, who chooses students that they believe to be some of the most skilled performers in the department. Garceau observed that there were only around seven students chosen to perform from her section of the music department.

Overall, nine schools participated in the Granite State Invitational Music Festival, making it difficult for people to be able to find seating to watch the concert. “The theater filled up because of all the schools attending, then their families also came. So, there really was no extra seating in the theater.” Garceau commented. 

Despite the difficult circumstances, Marlena Roach, a senior at Goffstown High School, was determined to show her support to her friends in the music department and watch the concert. The tickets for the concert were in high demand, but Roach was able to purchase the last tickets available, which were seats located on the back wall of the theater. Roach claims that there were more people than she had ever seen in the theater for the concert, but all the hustle and bustle didn’t ruin it for her. Roach declared that “Watching students from Goffstown High School perform more difficult music with other students while working together was really awesome to see.”