Six Bethel Park High School music students earned seats through multiple competitive auditions to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s (PMEA) 2024 All-State Festival and Annual In-Service Conference in April at the Warner Theatre in Erie.
- Ethan Alberter, Junior, All-State Concert Band (Trombone)
- Maria Catana, Junior, All-State Chorus (Soprano 1)
- Felix Kammerer, Junior, All-State Jazz Ensemble (Trombone)
- Justin Muench, Senior, All-State Orchestra (Trumpet)
- Sam Pellis, Senior, All-State Chorus (Bass 2)
- Katie Peterson, Senior, All-State Orchestra (Violin)
Earning a place in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival music ensembles is the highest level a high school musician can achieve.
Each year, thousands of high school musicians across the state audition in their geographic area. Individually, students perform for a panel of judges. The student musicians who rank the highest advance to compete against student musicians from other parts of the PMEA Regions. The highest-ranking student musicians at the PMEA Region level qualify to perform in one of six Pennsylvania All-State music ensembles.
“Our congratulations go out to the student musicians who have been selected to be part of the 2024 PMEA All-State Festival,” commented Scott Cullen, President of the PMEA and music educator in the Octorara Area School District. There is nothing quite like coming together for a unique performance experience that only the PMEA All-State Festival can provide. The students selected to participate in these ensembles represent all the amazing music programs from across the commonwealth and remind us of how strong music education is in Pennsylvania.”
The choir students perform under the direction of Mr. Todd Kuczawa. Mrs. Stephanie Glover teaches the orchestra standouts, and Mr. Chad Thompson is the Band Director.
Bethel Park’s orchestra was also chosen to perform at the conference, which is a prestigious honor only afforded to the most well-respected music departments in the Commonwealth.
PMEA, Pennsylvania’s branch of the National Association for Music Education, is a nonprofit organization with more than 4,000 members dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. The organization promotes and supports quality music education, learning, and performance and music education in schools and communities.
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