CHRHS arts department names Students of the Month

Tue, 10/21/2014 - 5:00pm

ROCKPORT — The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Camden Hills Regional High School has named Bethany Vix as the September Student of the Month, and Matthew Watts as October Student of the Month. 

Bethany Vix is an outstanding musician who has been involved in a myriad of musical and theatrical ensembles at CHRHS. In her freshman year, Bethany was accepted as a member of the select ensemble: Women’s Choir.

She went on to being accepted to the District III Honor Choir with the highest soprano score and was also accepted to sing in the MMEA All State Choir — a distinct honor for a freshman.

Throughout her years at CHRHS, Bethany has been a leading ensemble member in chamber singers, chorale, concert band and jazz ensemble. She has taken time to study honors music theory independently, and this year is studying advanced topics in music, including conducting with Ms. Rowe.

Each year, Bethany has been a member of the MMEA District III Mixed Honors Choir and the MMEA All State Choir. Her scores have been among the highest in the district and state levels. Last year, Bethany was also accepted to perform in the prestigious American Choral Directors’ All Eastern Festival. At that festival, in Baltimore, MD, Bethany had the opportunity to perform in the Chinese Repertoire Choir under the baton of Jing Ling Tam.

On stage, Bethany has participated in four years of musicals, One-Act festivals, and spring plays including last year’s A Night at the Improv. This year Bethany is playing the lead role of Cinderella in the CHRHS musical: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Community members can see Bethany and her peers on stage this coming November.

As far as future plans are concerned, Bethany has the difficult choice between music and science — another area in which she excels. She is leaning toward a major in physics with a minor in musical theater. No matter her choice, music will always be an integral part of her life.

Her advice to younger students is "The arts can be a gateway into another world where you can express and experience anything you want to, and once you get there you'll never want to leave. Allow yourself to get lost in whatever medium you choose and never ever forget to enjoy what you do!"


“Matt” Watts has been involved in nearly every aspect of the music department for the past four years. He has been performing on the baritone sax as member of the CHRHS concert band for the past four years and in the jazz band for the past three. He has been a member of the CHRHS chorale for the past years as a tenor and last year was accepted into chamber singers.

Matt has also participated in the a cappella men’s ensemble “The Off-Beats” for the past two years.

Last year he played “Papa Ogre” in the school musical Shrek and this year plays “Lionel, the Prince’s Royal Steward” in Cinderella. He also hopes to participate in the One-Act Plays this winter. He has been a participant in the MMEA District III Honors Festival every year since 6th grade.

Matt’s interest in music began when he was young with a love of singing. In fifth grade he decided to learn the alto saxophone, following in the footsteps of his older brother who played tenor sax. He later switched to baritone sax. Although he loves singing, he particularly has a connection with making music with something other than his voice.

Matt’s favorite artists include Sebastian Wolff, Sean O’Loughlin, John Williams, Gordon Goodwin, Pentatonix, John Rutter, Maroon 5, and Bastille.

His advice to a young musician considering participating in the arts: “Start early! It may be challenging, and even frustrating at first, because it’s something new. Over time, you will begin to really understand music and fall in love with it! It was really exciting to me in fifth grade to look forward to playing in the high school band one day.

At the time, the music that my brother brought home looked so difficult. He assured me that it wasn’t really that hard and now that my skills have improved, I understand where he was coming from. The longer you stick with your instrument, the easier it gets and the better musician you become!”