PMEA Songfest

Seven Meyersdale Elementary students were selected to perform in this year’s PMEA Songfest!

The District 6 PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) Songfest was held May 9 and featured seven Meyersdale Area Elementary School students. MAES participants included: Jaleigh Anderson, Romulo Gabuya, Valerie Sechler, Ella Ferris, Colton Donaldson, Nevaeh Knopsnyder and Faith Canfield. These talented students were among the more than 150 participants from 27 school districts.

Students received their music for Songfest several months ago in preparation for the event. This year’s Songfest included the following pieces of music: “Get on Board This Train,” Traditional Spiritual, arranged by Besig/Price; “She Sings,” Amy F. Bernon; “Galop,” Ken Berg; “This ‘Ol Man,” Traditional Children’s Song, arranged by Greg Gilpin; and “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” Traditional Spiritual, arranged by Emerson.

The event was hosted by the Northern Bedford County School District. Hosts directors were Ann Jones and Brett Keith. Mrs. Rebecca Sensor was the guest conductor. Sensor has been the music teacher at Dubois Area Middle School since 2001 and is a very active participant in PMEA events and activities. Sensor is the current vice-president of the PMEA.

Labrina O’Hara, choir director, said, “I am impressed with this group that auditioned to be in Songfest. They always wanted to practice and voluntarily gave up their recess time so they could prepare. They were enthusiastic and had great energy. I think this was one of my favorite Songfest concerts because I knew how much work my kids put in behind the scenes.”