Mount Si High School band students Mary Piekarczyk and James Kolke have auditioned and been accepted to the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) All-State Concert Band.

Piekarczyk plays clarinet, and Kolke plays trombone.

Select high school music students from across Washington State have received top honors to participate in one of the 2019 WMEA All-State performing groups. Mary and James will represent Mount Si High School, joining the other high school student musicians.

The WMEA All-State Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir will meet in Portland, Ore., Feb. 15-17 at the All-Northwest Conference. More than 1,800 students applied for the opportunity. Those selected will rehearse and perform in concert under the direction of world-renowned conductors.

The WMEA All-State event at the All-Northwest Conference is sponsored by the Washington Music Educators Association. Many professional musicians credit their All-State experience as crucial in their decision to choose music as a career.

Bill Leather, Mount Si High School Director of Bands said, “Being named to the WMEA All-State band is a tremendous honor. Both James and Mary will be representing Mount Si High School at the NAfME All-Northwest Conference in Portland as some of the very best musicians in the state of Washington. We are extremely proud of their commitment to excellence.”

Mount Si High School’s Mary Piekarczyk and James Kolke were recently accepted to the Washington Music Educators Association All-State Concert Band. Photo courtesy of Mount Si High School