For the Reporter

Mt. Baker will send four students to Spokane in February for the Washington Music Educators Association Junior All-State Band and Orchestra gala event.

Caroline Cooper will play tuba in the band and Melaku Akalwold, Elijah Blyden and Isaiah Shin will play violin in the orchestra.

The students were selected through an audition process. Nearly 1,600 middle school students from across the state auditioned for the honor of being named to the all-state groups. During the event, they will rehearse under the direction of outstanding music educators and present a concert in the afternoon.

“This is a great opportunity for these young musicians,” said Melinda Wharton, Mt. Baker orchestra teacher.

Elsewhere

Auburn High School band students Mikah Loomis and Austin Clark recently auditioned for and were selected to participate in the Western International Band Clinic (WIBC) honor band on Nov. 21-24 at the Sea-Tac Doubletree hotel. Loomis and Clark will represent Auburn as first clarinets in the Firebird Honor Band.

The audition process included students recording two pieces of music that were evaluated by a panel of professional musicians and educators at the WIBC, which selected the participants.

During the four-day clinic, students play in one of four bands directed by world renowned composers, educators and conductors. The culmination of the clinic will be a gala concert of the honor bands.

Students from across the United States and international students auditioned for the event.