Four Mars Area High School students were selected by solo audition for the 2019 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival, to be held in conjunction with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Eastern Division Conference, April 4-7 in Pittsburgh.

Seniors Jenna Halenda (flute) and Jacob Smith (trombone); and junior Zachary Ottenweller (bass) will perform with the PMEA All-State Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Meyer, Erie Philharmonic and Lakeside Symphony Orchestra music director, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra artistic director, and Duquesne University director of orchestral activities. The PMEA All-State Orchestra will perform public concert at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom. Tickets are $15. 

Senior Sarah Grimm (Bb clarinet) will perform with the NAfME All-Eastern Concert Band, conducted by Brad Genevro, University of Texas at El Paso director of bands. NAfME All-Eastern Concert Band will offer a public concert at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the convention center. Tickets are $20.

Ticket information for all concerts is available online at www.ticketor.com/pmea.

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Also of note, Mars Area High School will host PMEA All-State Concert Band rehearsals on Thursday and Friday, April 4-5, in the auditorium. Guest conductor will be Dr. Travis Cross, University of California, Los Angeles music chair and symphonic band and wind ensemble director.

For more information, visit www.pmea.net.