On Oct. 17, auditions were held for the 2024 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 5 Honors Band at Grove City College. Over 200 students auditioned for a band of 125 musicians. This year, Seneca Valley had 36 students earn a position in the Honors Band, more than any other school! District 5 comprises all school districts in Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer counties. To audition, students must be in at least ninth grade and prepare a piece from a predetermined solo list for each school year. These college-level solos are selected by the directors of District 5. 

This year’s Honors Band was guest conducted by Dr. R. Tad Greig, Retired Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Westminster College. The three-day festival culminated with a concert in Ketler Auditorium at Grove City College on Dec.14. Seneca Valley secondary band instructors include Mr. Varden Armstrong, Mr. Robert Babick, Ms. Sara Snyder and Mr. Brian Croach. 

Participants:

Maya Anglero - Baritone Saxophone Camden Armstrong - Alto Saxophone Noah Bracht - Tuba  Ivan Chen - Trombone  Jordan Courtney - Trumpet  Joseph Cuchapin - Bass Clarinet  Elora Dabravalskas - Trumpet  Emma Gallie - Clarinet  Allison Gillett - Percussion  Madeline Heere - Clarinet  Josh Heere - Baritone Saxophone  Sylvia Heilman - Clarinet

Isaac Hixon - French Horn Caroline Holmes - French Horn Benny James - String Bass Rileigh Karns - French Horn Maddy Karns - Alto Saxophone Emelyn Kaye - Clarinet Ella King - Clarinet  Chloe Lewis - Trumpet  Anna Livorse - French Horn Nathan Lui - Euphonium Braedon McNally - Trombone Lauren Nowak - Clarinet

Niko Papakirk - Clarinet  Steven Patterson - Clarinet  Avery Rape - Trumpet  John Rieger - Trumpet  Gio Salgado - Alto Saxophone  Eli Scanlan - Trombone  Lola Schwendemann - French Horn Claire Thompson - Flute  Imogen Tomo - Trombone Mackenzie Tunstall - Clarinet  Adrian Wrubel - Trumpet Autumn Zacherl - Flute

Posted January 7, 2025