Two Tyrone Area students are headed to Erie today to participate in what band director Kris Laird describes as “the greatest musical achievement of their high school careers.”
Morris Reese, a senior and Alicia Rodriguez, a junior have qualified to participate in the 2004 Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Association (PMEA) All-State performance groups to be held at the annual PMEA All-State Conference at the Erie Civic Center.
“This musical journey began in the early fall when both students auditioned for placement in District 6 band and chorus,” said Laird. “From there the two began a diligent practice routine of learning and perfecting their festival music for District, Regional and All-State.
“Much like an athlete would train everyday to compete for such a position at a state tournament, these musicians worked through every detail of their music in order to be at the top of their game in order to achieve this honor,” explained Laird.
Alicia Rodriguez will be participating in this year’s All-State Chorus, singing Soprano II after earning 15th chair at pre-auditions held in October of 2003, according to a press release from Laird.
Rodriguez competed against schools from four counties where she improved her ranking to fifth at the District 6 chorus event in January. She then advanced to Region III Chorus where she competed against students from eleven counties. She landed in fourth chair and qualified for the state event.
Morris Reese will perform in the tuba section at this year’s All-State Band. He auditioned in November and earned first chair tuba. Reese maintained his first place seed, advancing to Region III Band in March.
“At Region Band, the competition got tight,” said Laird.
“Only the top chair in the section would advance to States, and when the numbers were in, Reese’s audition had earned him the honor.
According to the press release, both Rodriguez and Reese will spend the remainder of the week practicing with the best musicians in the state and work with guest conductors, preparing for the All-State Concert Series scheduled to be held this Saturday.
The state event is part of a three-day conference being conducted by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.
The organization boosts more than 7,000 members according to information on its web site at www.pmea.net.
PMEA describes its mission as the advance music education by encouraging excellence in the study, teaching and making of music. PMEA objectives include promoting and supporting quality music education, learning and performance and the promotion and support of music education in schools and communities.
The organization’s membership includes professional and collegiate members actively involved in music education along with retired educators and more than 2,200 secondary students holding membership in Pennsylvania Tri-M Honor Society chapters.
Information from PMEA, noted the organization also provides opportunities each year for more than 12,000 secondary students to participate in District, Region/State and All-State Festivals in band, choir, orchestra and jazz.
Other events and activities include solo and ensemble adjudication festivals, as well as elementary and middle school song fests, band fests and string fests in 12 separate districts throughout Pennsylvania.
