The Hopkinton Public Schools Music Department once again is serving as one of the host schools as well as taking part in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Festival the weekend of April 5-7.

“We have become one of the sites that music directors enjoy coming to because we really go all out to make them feel welcome and help them with their needs at the festival,” Hopkinton Public Schools music director Craig Hay said. “Between the [Hopkinton Music Association] board, HPS music staff, volunteers and our students, we try to go above and beyond to make the festival a success. Our groups take pride in being the host school and do their very best to prepare their music for an outstanding performance.”

Performing groups from Hopkinton High School and Grade 8 plus the honors chorus from Hopkinton Middle School are participating.

On Friday, April 5, at Westborough High School, the Grade 8 chorus performs at 4 p.m., and the HMS honors chorus goes on at 5:20. On the same day at Hopkinton High School, the Grade 8 band plays at 5 p.m., the HHS orchestra takes the stage at 8 p.m. and the HHS concert band performs at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, April 6, the HHS chorus performs at 11 a.m. at Westborough High, the HHS symphonic band plays at 11:30 a.m. at HHS, and the Grade 8 orchestra performs at 1 p.m. at HHS.

The purpose of the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) is to encourage and support the development of elementary, middle and high school performing ensembles. The concert and choral festivals provide an opportunity for evaluation by highly qualified adjudicators.

There are approximately 180 ensembles and more than 8,600 student musicians participating in the concert festival at six locations across the state, while more than 4,000 students are participating in the choral festival at two high schools.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help the Hopkinton Music Department and Hopkinton Music Association with hosting duties can contact Karen Sylvester at karen_sylvester@comcast.net.