Since January, six Tyrone Area High School band members have been feverishly practicing a set of music in hopes of being awarded a seat on the prestigious PMEA All-State band.
Yesterday, the students, which include Elizabeth Kreckel, Morris Reese, Morgann Davis, Alicia Rodriguez, Katie Osterhout and Rob Rich, boarded a bus and headed to the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown’s Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center to begin their quest for the state honors at the Region III State Band Festival.
The competition is being hosted by the Winder Area High School.
“These students have worked really hard and they really want to play well,” said Tyrone High School Band Director Kris Laird. “Everyone of these young musicians have plenty of talent and all of them are capable of making it to the next level.”
According to Laird, auditions were held yesterday and, today and tomorrow, the students will be rehearsing with guest conductor Dr. Casey Teske, director of bands at Clarion University. These two, 12-hour days of rehearsing will lead up to a public concert beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday at PPAC.
“The program for the festival is a challenging and contemporary program that the audience will be sure to enjoy,” said Laird.
If selected, the students will advance to the All-State Band, which will rehearse and perform at the 2003 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conference in Hershey from April 9 through April 11.
“There’s really going to be some tough competition,” said Laird. “They only take the first chair for each instrument to states. Only about 20 kids will be advancing.
“But I feel the students we are taking take pride in their music and will be at the top of their game when it comes time to be judged.”
Laird said the pool of judges, made up of directors from District III, will look for a myriad of things when making their decision, including rhythm, tone quality and music quality.
The last Tyrone High School student selected to represent Northern Blair County in the All-State Band was Pam Detwiler, more than five years ago for her work on the bass clarinet.
For those who would like to support the Tyrone Band, Laird asks you to join them for a spaghetti dinner.
The annual function is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. on March 23 at the Tyrone American Legion. The dinner will include DelGrosso’s spaghetti, meatballs and sauce, a salad, roll, drink and dessert. Tickets are $5 for adult meals and $3 for children’s meals. Ticket orders will be taken via phone until Monday by calling 684-4240, extension 3306.
To find out more about what’s happening with the Tyrone Band programs and the students of Tyrone High School, visit the website at www.tyrone.k12.pa.us/band.
