January 30, 2024
The weather didn't stop our students (and families), together with band and choir teacher Mr. Ostrand, from attending the educational weekend event in Eugene this month. These participants who were accepted to All-State, braved ice and snow, going from their hotels to practice areas and, to the performance locations too!
Our junior high students had already learned and practiced their songs and pieces before All-State. Over two days, they practiced about 13 hours with their fellow performers before their Friday concerts.
All State MS (Middle School) Orchestra – (110 string musicians, 25 cellists)
Kaleb Kidney (6th grade) – cello
All State MS Band
Samurai Mom (8th grade) – trumpet
All State MS Treble Choir (130 vocalists)
Kahli McBride (8th grade)
All State MS Tenor/Bass Choir (80 vocalists)
Sam Walters (8th grade)
Adam Xiong (8th grade)
Our high school participants had three days of rigorous rehearsals, with changing rehearsal venues due to location closures because of the weather. High school students also attended university musical concerts as well as concluding with their group performances.
All State HS 11-12 Choir
Emma Ortman (11th grade) - alto
All State HS Symphonic Band
Coleson Schroder (10th grade) – euphonium – he was 1st chair (of six total in his section) and had a solo part in one song!
Every student described their experience as “fun” and hope to be accepted into All-State next year. Sixth grader Kaleb, with five years of experience playing the cello since first grade, and 8th grader Adam found that it was “good to be part of something big.” All-State is always a great opportunity for our PCS student musicians to meet other students across the state of Oregon and be part of a larger performance group. The exposure to other instructors is also special, as 8th grader Kahli describes, “my instructor was amazing – she told us during practice to do our best – encouraging us to be even better.”
Congratulations to all our students for participating in this year’s memorable music-making event, and successful performances!
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Written by Grace Dugger