SCA Students Take On PMEA!

Every winter, a handful of Southern Columbia music students compete in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) festivals. PMEA festivals offer students the opportunity to compete individually on their instrument or voice part at the district, region, and state level. In addition to competing for advancement, students also participate in large ensembles at these festivals.

The festivals are typically last three days, which include auditions and ensemble rehearsals and culminating in a final concert. This winter, SCA had three students compete at district band and will have seven students competing at district chorus.

District 8 Band

In November, approximately 450 students from nearly 40 different schools auditioned for approximately 150 spots in the District 8 Band. Three music students from SCA won seats in this ensemble: senior trumpeter Breanna Burd, sophomore tubist Nathan Hunsinger, and sophomore trumpeter Emma Rosko.

These students traveled to Mansfield University from January 10 - 12 to participate in the festival. Under the baton of Dr. Nathan Rinnert, the students explored a wide variety of concert band literature. Their hard work was then showcased to parents, family, and friends in a final concert on January 12.

In addition to rehearsing with the ensemble, the students also auditioned for seating within the ensemble and for advancement to regionals. Stellar performances came from all three participating SCA students: trumpeters Emma Rosko and Breanna Burd placed 1st and 5th on their respective parts, and tubist Nathan Hunsinger placed 1st in the tuba section.

Out of approximately 150 instrumentalists accepted into the District 8 Band, half will be advancing to Region IV Band. SCA students Emma Rosko and Nathan Hunsinger will be traveling to Region IV Band, to take place at Wyoming Area High School from February 22 - 24.

District 8 Chorus

Like District Band, every fall approximately 400 music students from almost 40 schools compete for spots in the 160-member District 8 Chorus. The choir is divided among eight voice parts. On average, about 50-60 vocalists audition per voice part, 20 of whom are accepted. Seven SCA students won spots in the choir. Senior Sheila Brassard ranked 2nd in the Alto I section, junior Emma Steely and sophomore Mikaela Brouse ranked 6th and 9th in the Alto II section, junior Jacob Stahley ranked 11th in the Tenor I section, junior Zach Honabach and senior Seth Barrett ranked 10th and 19th in the Bass I section, and sophomore Franklin Brassard ranked 6th in the Bass II section.

These students traveled to Milton Area High School from January 25 - 27. During their time there, they participated in rehearsals under the direction of maestro Ryan Beeken, working on a selection of choral pieces from a variety of genres and time periods. Their efforts were displayed in a concert at the Milton Area High School auditorium on January 27 at 1:00 PM. During this festival, the students also auditioned for spots in the Region IV choir. 10 students on each voice part will be advancing to Region IV choir.