Bradford Area High School students Ethan Rochna, Gabriel Thompson, Owen Troisi, Asa Walt and Steven Williams reached the highest level a high school musician can achieve by earning a place in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival music ensembles.

Rochna and Williams will perform with the All-State Concert Band, Thompson and Walt with the All-State Wind Ensemble and Troisi with the All-State Chorus.

Each year, thousands of high school musicians across the state audition in their geographic area. Individually, students perform for a panel of judges. Student musicians who rank the highest advance to compete against student musicians from other PMEA regions. The highest-ranking student musicians at the PMEA region level qualify to perform in one of six Pennsylvania All-State music ensembles.

“Our congratulations go out to the student musicians that have been selected to be part of the 2024 PMEA All-State Festival,” commented Scott Cullen, PMEA President and music educator in the Octorara Area School District. “There is nothing quite like coming together for a unique performance experience that only the PMEA All-State Festival can provide. The students selected to participate in these ensembles represent all the amazing music programs from across the commonwealth and remind us of how strong music education is in Pennsylvania.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of these five students and the hard work they have put into earning the honor of performing at All-State. Congratulations to them and their families,” said David Ray, Bradford High School principal.

These five BAHS students will perform at the annual PMEA All-State Festival in Erie from April 18 to 20. Nationally recognized conductors at the convention direct the groups. They rehearse for two days and conclude with a performance. Learn more about the event and the guest conductors at:https://www.pmea.net/allstate

The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians, evolved from a small group of band directors dating from 1933. Today, the organization includes those engaged in music instruction at all levels, from preschool through college and university, as well as those in the music industry, merchandising and publishing. The organization promotes and supports quality music education, learning and performance as well as promoting and supporting music education in schools and communities. PMEA is affiliated with The National Association for Music Education, NAfME. For more information about PMEA visit www.pmea.net.