Bellefonte Area High School’s Band, Choir, and Orchestra students were given the opportunity to showcase their talents at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District Festival over the past two months.
Each year, Bellefonte students combine with up to almost 200 other students in District 4, encompassing Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, and Mifflin Counties. At the festivals, students are then given a two to three-minute audition to showcase their talents to a chair to decide their placement.
Nine students represented Bellefonte at this year’s PMEA District 4 Band Festival under Band Director Mr. Caleb Rebarchak. The district festivals occurred from January 11-13 at Glendale Area High School. The nine students who participated included: Erin Ashe (clarinet), Rebecca Burns (bass clarinet), Cole Dermota (euphonium), Bailey Hoff (flute), Emma Liadis (French horn), Sadie Stodart (alto saxophone), John Walters (trumpet), Sophie Harper (trumpet), and Alex Stanton (tuba). Four of those students qualified for the PMEA Region III Band Festival that took place February 22-24 at Bald Eagle Area High School.
Every year, band students at the district and region festival are blessed with the opportunity to work with different guest conductors as well as audition. This year’s District 4 guest conductor was Dr. James Colonna, the Director of Bands at Messiah University. And this year’s Region III guest conductor was Dr. Jason Helmick, Director of Bands at Slippery Rock University.
“Having the students get the opportunity to hear from a composer about how their music should be performed is a unique experience because some composers are much more particular than others about how their music gets performed,” Mr. Rebarchak said.
The festival allows students to not only display their talent, but also to come together with other students and directors to grow upon their talents and become better musicians in a huge ensemble.
“The music is also typically at a higher level than participating high schools would perform, so it’s an opportunity for students to learn some more difficult music,” Mr. Rebarchak said.
The students who qualified by auditioning for the PMEA Region III Band Festival that took place at the end of February were Sophia Harper, Bailey Hoff, Emma Liadis, and Sadie Stodart. Mr. Rebarchak was very proud of his students’ performance at this year’s festivals. He hoped all nine of his students were able to grow as musicians throughout their experience at the PMEA Festival, no matter their chair placement.
When it comes to student auditions, preparedness is one of the factors that influences a student’s chair placement. Students prepare all school year and put in countless hours of rehearsal for this specific moment.
“I was really nervous about attending District Band, however, I wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone,” junior Band and Choir student Erin Ashe said.
The PMEA District 4 Chorus Festival took place from January 25-27 at Juniata High School. Eleven Bellefonte singers participated in the festival, with five singers moving on to the Region III Chorus Festival in Somerset next month. Bellefonte’s 11 students who auditioned under Choir Director Mr. Eric Brinser were: Erin Ashe and Emma Liadis (Soprano 1), Jane Burgess and Kate Harman (Soprano 2), Sam Nedrow and Allison Nicholls (Alto 1), Elena Bartko (Alto 2), Sam Henry and Eli Rushton (Bass 1), Bennie Grieb and Alex Stanton (Bass 2).
During their time at the festival, Choir students were able to showcase their talents to a chair committee and compete for a spot in the Region Festival, while also getting to spend time with other like-minded singers and make great music together.
“My favorite part about the PMEA districts was being able to make music with other people. I had such a wonderful experience, not just because of the music we made, but I was able to share those best moments with my friends,” Erin said.
Choir students were given the opportunity to work with Dr. Matthew Fritz from Elizabethtown College during their time at the PMEA Choir Festival.
Directors at the festival get to work with directors from other schools in the district and learn new things during their time there as well. Most importantly, directors get to see their students display all the hard work and dedication they put forth this year and be able to grow as musicians.
“The festival is student-focused,” Mr. Brinser said. “The most enjoyable part for me is the concert – hearing how the students’ work over those two days is showcased!”
As students prepare for the Region III Choir Festival in March, Bellefonte students Erin Ashe, Elena Bartko, Emma Liadis, Allison Nicholls, and Alex Stanton will all be making the trip.
“The thing I am most excited about for regionals is performing the music,” Erin said. “I am so excited to have this opportunity and I can’t wait to spend it with my friends!”
Five Bellefonte students competed in this years PMEA District 4 Orchestra Festival at the beginning of February. Bellefonte’s Ochresta Dircetor, Mr. Aaron Decker, brought Bellefonte students Rebecca Burns, Sophie Harper, Leo McKean, Emma Pyle-Lewis, and Elizabeth Stack along with him to compete.
For anyone thinking about joining Bellefonte’s Band, Orchestra, or Choir, the PMEA Festivals are something you won’t want to miss out on. The experience you get at the festival and the opportunity to learn and grow upon your talents is something students will remember forever. It’s never too late to join either: no matter your experience level or abilities, directors are always willing to teach and guide you to improve upon your skills.
“We take anyone who wants to learn an instrument! We will work with you if you’ve always wanted to try an instrument but never have, or if you played in elementary/middle school and dropped out but want to rejoin,” Mr. Rebarchak said.
Mr. Brinser also invites students to join Choir if they have an interest.
“Come join us! We have singers of various abilities and experience levels. And it’s a period in your school day when you get to be creative and spend time working in a group setting,” Mr. Brinser said.
