Although the very northwest corner of Pennsylvania may be an unconventional and out-of-the-way place to hold a state conference, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) annual in-service conference and All-State music festival were held this year in Erie, Pennsylvania. It ran from Thursday, April 18th to Saturday, April 20th.

Most students attend the conference as performers. PMEA hosts district and regional festivals where students audition to perform pieces under a guest conductor as well as auditioning for a seat in a higher ensemble. Multiple rounds of auditions place the top music students from each district in the PMEA All-State Bands, Orchestra, or Chorus. 

Senior Ava Miller performed as a tenor in the All-State Chorus under the direction of Dr. Christopher Jackson. Senior Annie Westrate and Sophomore Carissa Uy performed as clarinet and french horn respectively in the All-State Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Alfred Watkins. Junior Sam Graaf was also in attendance as a finalist for the PMEA Composition Program. He was recognized for his piece Masquerade of the Faeries for full orchestra.

The conference lasted three days, from Thursday to Saturday at the Bayfront Convention Center on Presque Bay in Erie. Guest universities and high schools from across the state performed for attendees of the conference. One of the notable ensembles includes the Butler Rock Orchestra from Butler Area School District. An extracurricular ensemble, they consisted of a string orchestra, drum kit, and electric bass performing rock songs such as Cashmere by Led Zeppelin and Walk This Way by Aerosmith. 

The West Chester Henderson Choir also performed arrangements of the traditional funeral chant Dies Irae with a contemporary rhythm while keeping the baroque harmonics. Another appearance was the Jazz Ambassadors of the United States Army Field Band, who received tremendous applause and accolades for their performance on Thursday night with selections such as Old King Dooji by Duke Ellington and Watch What Happens by Michel Legrand. 

The educational sessions were held both Thursday and Friday on a variety of topics ranging from expanding music education programs, artificial intelligence in music production, and conducting ensembles. The conference serves not only to bring music educators together but for participants to learn how to develop their teaching and programs. “I really valued connecting with other peers of mine from around the state, because different programs are always really inspiring,” said Elizabeth Marino, the high school band director. “It gives you a clue about what you can do to adjust to your own community.”

On Saturday, the ensembles performed at the historic Warner Theater in downtown Erie. The concert band performed exciting overtures such as Ceremonial Flourishes by James Currow and moving works such as Only Light, Only Love by Leslie Gilreath and the first movement of Sound and Smoke by Viet Cuong. The sound of the band was impressive because of both its size and the musicians’ talent. The chorus performed provocative pieces such as The Dream Keeper: No 4 “Song” by William Averitt inspired by the poem by Langston Hughes. The piece was active, with jarring harmonies and two accompanists on the piano. They also sang some unconventional pieces, such as I Conquer the World With Words by Jonathan Woody, with odd lyrics as “verbs,” “nouns,” and “syntax.” Similar to the instrumental ensembles, the chorus is composed of 160 students from around the state. “Never in any place besides here will you get to hear 40 basses,” says choral director David Fernandes.

The remarkable talent of the performers can often make others doubt their own abilities. “There are always people who are going to be better than you, no matter how good you think you are,” said Westrate, “but at a certain point, you have to stop holding yourself to such high standards and just enjoy the fact that you’re around such amazing musicians.” 

Congratulations to all those who were selected to attend the conference and perform in this year’s festival! Here’s to sending more students to PMEA All-States for both recognition and performance for many years to come!