Mount Si music students named to All-State honor groups

December 4, 2017 1:13 pm
Courtesy Photo Mount Si High School students were recently named to the All-State Band and Choirs, scheduled to perform at the Washington Music Educators Association conference in February.
Courtesy Photo Mount Si High School students were recently named to the All-State Band and Choirs, scheduled to perform at the Washington Music Educators Association conference in February.

The Mount Si High School Music Department has announced the students chosen for the Washington All-State Honor Group music ensembles, in both band and choir. To be chosen, the students had to audition for the honor.

Washington All-State Honor Groups are an opportunity for students to participate in shared musical excellence with students from other school districts across the state. Students rehearse music in an intensive format over the course of three days with nationally renowned directors and clinicians, followed by a culminating performance at the Washington Music Educators Association biannual conference, Feb. 16 to 18, in Yakima.

Mount Si High School students named to the All-State Symphonic Choir include sophomores Natalie Bateman and Dora Huestis, and seniors Alison Caswell and Jessica Conlon.

“I’m so excited and honored to get to sing with some of the best vocalists in the state,” said Huestis. “As my first time, I can’t wait for this intensive immersion in music and for everything I’ll be learning.”

Freshman Brooke Bovenkamp will perform in the All State Treble Choir.

I am so excited that we have 5 students participating in all-state this year,” said Haley Isaacs, choir director at Mount Si. “The students that were selected are all very hard-workers and excellent representatives of our Mount Si Choir program.”

Students named to the All-State Concert Band include sophomore Elijah Wray on baritone saxophone, and juniors Erik Thurston, tuba, and Mary Piekarczyk, clarinet.

“I love these state level events because of the opportunity to meet and play music with some of the best fellow musicians from around the state,” said Bateman, who will be attending for his third year. It’s really an amazing experience, interacting with others who have the same passion for music that you do.”

Senior Tyler Bateman will play percussion in the All-State Wind Ensemble:

“We are proud to have four Mount Si Band students representing our program along with the best high school musicians in the state of Washington,” said Bill Leather, Mount Si’s band director.

For more information on the WMEA conference, visit www.wmea.org.