Westport Public Schools is proud to congratulate the Staples High School Orphenians on being selected as a Showcase Ensemble for this year’s Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) All-State Conference, a distinction that places the group among the top school music ensembles in the state. The Orphenians will perform on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Hartford.

According to the official CMEA conference announcement, the Orphenians were chosen as one of a select group of showcase ensembles from across Connecticut for this year’s conference. The annual event brings together music educators and student performers from around the state and highlights outstanding school music programs through featured performances.

The selection reflects the strength of Staples High School’s choral program and the dedication, artistry, and collaborative spirit of the student singers who make up the ensemble.

To be chosen for a statewide showcase like this is a remarkable accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of the Orphenians and grateful for the leadership of Lauren Pine in helping students reach such a high level of artistry, said Stephen Zimmerman, Music and Visual Arts Coordinator for the Westport Public Schools.

Being invited to perform as a Showcase Ensemble at the CMEA All-State Conference is a significant achievement for any school music group. It offers students the opportunity to represent their school community on a statewide stage while sharing their work with music educators, peers, and fellow performers from across Connecticut.

Westport Public Schools celebrates the Orphenians, their director Lauren Pine, and the entire Staples music community for this exceptional honor and wishes them the very best in Hartford this Friday.