Over the course of several months, three Southern Lehigh students auditioned for and successfully advanced in the fifth annual Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Orchestra. Sophomore Andrew Curtis and juniors Shannon Quinn and Maxim Vezenov all qualified for district orchestra, and both Quinn and Vezenov moved onto regional orchestra.

There are various levels of PMEA, starting at districts. Then, they move up to regions, states, and all-states. To qualify and be placed, musicians must learn and practice a piece of music on their own and then audition for a judging panel.

Quinn and Vezenov felt that they were very well-prepared for the auditions. They have both gone through the audition process before, so they knew what to be ready for.

“Last year I auditioned, but I wasn’t well-prepared, so I didn’t make it,” Vezenov said, “but this year, I practiced more.”

Band and orchestra teacher Mr. Larry Fisher knew that they were ready to play.

“They spent most of their time working with a private teacher,” Mr. Fisher said. “They knew the material.”  

The regional orchestra festival takes place over a span of three days, during which the orchestra students are judged to see whether they will advance on to states.

“We have two days to rehearse with the conductor,” Quinn said. “The final day we play, we have a banquet and a concert.”  

No Southern Lehigh students advanced to the state orchestra, so the 2016-17 has ended for them, and they have their sights set on next year.