TOWAMENCIN- Nine North Penn High School students have received the honor of being chosen to participate at the Pennsylvania Music Education Association’s All-State Concert Band or Wind Ensemble.

This prestige is not just the culmination of two auditions at the district and regional level. The students have put in long hours preparing and working to accomplish this feat.

“Since around May of last year, this festival has been in the back of my mind. Every day it was practice, audition, receive music, practice more, and re-audition. To be able to look at this year and see all the work that was put into my music, the All-State festival feels like a celebration of all the achievements of the rest of this year. I still have one more audition left to determine my place in the ensemble, but it makes me so proud to be able to sit with my fellow musicians from across the state and celebrate our year,” said All-State Band qualifier and First Chair Bb clarinetist Julie Kratz.

“It means a great deal to me because when I started bassoon in 7th grade, I never thought that I would be in this position and have accomplished what I have. It is a testament to hard work and pushing yourself to be as good as you can be.” added First Chair Bassoonist James Canal.

Along with Kratz and Carnal, the following members have also been chosen to participate in the All-State Band or Wind Ensemble:

Junior Evan Pelletier on the oboe.

Junior James Carnal on the bassoon.

Senior Sasha Sidach on the Bb clarinet.

Junior Gabriela Sidach on the trombone.

Senior Thomas Lloyd on the French Horn.

Junior Tony Xu on the French Horn.

Junior Jacob Stevens on the First Chair trumpet.

Sophomore Hannah Kershner on the trumpet.

These students will perform at the festival in Pittsburgh from April 3rd to 6th.

Along with these students who have accomplished so much, Seniors Allison Yang on the Bb clarinet and James Murphy who plays the baritone saxophone have been chosen to perform at the National Association for Music Educators Eastern Division conference. They will be performing in Pittsburgh from April 4th to April 7th. Congratulations to all of these hard working musicians!