MASD hosts PMEA District Band Festival

The 2023 District 6 Pennsylvania Band Festival was held at Meyersdale Area School District (MASD) this past week. According to Mrs. Katie Howard, festival hostess and MASD Director of Bands, 142 student musicians, from 39 schools, were in attendance at the event, held February 8, 9 and 10.

Dr. M. Gregory Martin served as the guest conductor for the festival. Martin is the Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Music Education at West Chester University. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University; a Master of Music degree from James Madison University; and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Martin has served as a guest clinician/conductor throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe and has published a book entitled Marching Band Techniques: a Guide to the Successful Operation of a High School Band Program.

The concert, presented at the conclusion of the festival, included the following pieces: Illumination, David Maslanka; Shenandoah, arr. Omar Thomas; A Longford Legend, Robert Sheldon; Pacem, Robert Spittal; Symphonic Dance #2, Clifton Williams and Amparito Roca, Jaime Texidor.

Participating students qualified for this festival through an audition process held in November. MAHS had several musician representing their school, including: Jennifer Brown, Clarinet II; Laura Boyce, Clarinet III; Hope Canfield, Alto Sax I; Connor Grasser, Tenor Sax; Kyley Emerick, Baritone Sax; Laurel Daniels, Trumpet I; and Ryan Sechler, Euphonium. Boyce and Brown will advance to the Regional Festival in the spring.