Scholastic musicians mark accomplishments in regional festivals
SUBMITTED PHOTO - Four Hazleton Area High School students take part in the Marywood University Junior Wind Band Celebration. FROM L-R: Ava Turner (mallet percussion), Taelyn Mumie (clarinet), Eva Stacey (clarinet), and Trevor Correll (clarinet).
NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL – Scholastic musicians from our local high schools took part in honors bands and regional ensembles of all sorts throughout the winter.
Susquehanna University Honors Band
Students from Shenandoah Valley, Mahanoy Area, and North Schuylkill all took part in the 33rd Annual Susquehanna University Honors Band on Feb. 15 in Selinsgrove.
Four members of the Shenandoah Valley Blue Devil Band took part, including from L to R: Jourdin Karvois, Emily Morales, Ellie Miscannon, and Trista Karosas. They are pictured with SV Director of Bands Mr. John P. Shoener.
Mahanoy Area was represented by Marcus Fisher, left, and Alivia Sillers.
North Schuylkill Spartans’ Wyatt Bradley (trumpet), Henry Evans (trumpet), and Mikaela Seeraj (flute) all took part in the band.
PMEA District 10 Festivals
Several North Schuylkill High School student musicians recently distinguished themselves through outstanding performances at Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 10 festivals. PMEA District 10 represents student musicians from a seven-county region of Pennsylvania.
London White (clarinet), Ella Stump (trumpet), and Autumn Hendricks (horn) performed in the PMEA District 10 Band Festival on Feb. 7 at Twin Valley High School under the direction of Prof. Alex Kaminsky of Vandercook College of Music. White also earned selection to the PMEA Region V State Band Festival, scheduled for March 21, at Carlisle High School.
North Schuylkill students Henry Evans, Addison Lesher, and Gregory Stump were selected to perform in the PMEA District 10 Jazz Festival, hosted at North Schuylkill High School on Jan. 30–31, working with guest conductors Rick Hirsch (Hirsch Music Publications) and Randy Kapralick (La Salle College High School).
Additionally, London White and Autumn Hendricks were selected to participate in the PMEA District 10 Orchestra Festival, held Jan. 22–24, at Bethlehem Catholic High School under the direction of John Kilkenny, Music Director of the New York Youth Symphony.
Also representing the area in Region V Band is Ben Bux from Mahanoy Area. He will perform at Carlisle High School next month.
PMEA District 9 Orchestra
Hazleton Area High School Senior Sophie Bolitsky proudly represented the district at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 9 Orchestra Festival, held Jan. 21–23, at North Pocono High School near Daleville.
Bolitsky was selected to participate in the prestigious district ensemble, which brings together top student musicians from across the region for several days of intensive rehearsals and performance.
The festival orchestra was conducted by Dr. Peter Isaacson, Assistant Professor of Violin at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Kutztown University Orchestra.
Marywood Junior Wind Band Celebration
Four Hazleton Area High School students participated in the Marywood University Junior Wind Band Celebration on Dec. 5 and 6.
The band members were accepted based on a recommendation of their abilities in the HAHS band and auditioned along with students from several area schools.
The students rehearsed all day Friday and Saturday with outstanding guest conductors from around the United States and performed a concert on Saturday night.
Schuylkill County Chorus
Students from Shenandoah Valley, Mahanoy Area, and North Schuylkill all represented the north in the Schuylkill County Chorus.
Six Shenandoah Valley students took part in the festival, held Feb. 14 at Pottsville Area.
They include: (Row 1: L to R) Jerlianny Francisco Lamar, Paloma Monjaraz, (Row 2: L to R) Toby Gudinas, Valeria Hernandez, (Row 3: L to R) Colin Neidlinger, Kairi Medina.
They are led by SV Music Teacher Miss Britney Bidding.
Mahanoy Area was represented by Hailee, Ben, Jordynn, Aliyah, and Dalila.
Ten North Schuylkill High School Treble Maker chorus members took part in the festival. The students auditioned for their spots in October. Of the ten NS participants, eight are members of the band program.
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