Students participate in All-State Festival and conference

PMEA All-State

Seven talented SV musicians recently advanced all the way to the Pennsylvania Music Education Association (PMEA) All-State Festival and conference. In the performing arts world, this is the equivalent of making it to the state championship. The festival was held at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center and student performances were held at the newly renovated historic Warner Theater.

The All-State Orchestra was conducted by Mr. Scott Laird, fine arts chair and instructor of music at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). Students rehearsed with Mr. Laird over the course of three days which culminated in a performance on Saturday, April 20. Isabella Muthler participated in the All-State Orchestra.

The All-State Wind Ensemble was conducted by Ms. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss, conductor and artistic director of the Tara Winds Community Band in Atlanta, GA. The All-State Concert band was conducted by Dr. Alfred L. Watkins, co-founder and conductor of the Cobb Wind Symphony. Both ensembles performed a concert on Saturday, April 22. Paityn Armstrong, Kami Topf and Mackenzie Tunstall participated.

The All-State Choir was conducted by Dr. Christopher Jackson, artistic director and conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Their performance closed the conference with a fantastic performance on Saturday afternoon. Ayla Alexander, Graham Logue and Giulia Siegfried participated.