Photo From left to right are: Benjamin Tanner (Mountain View, Seventh-Grade Band), Cedar Zondervan (Chehalem Valley, Eighth-Grade Band, and Adelaide Shaw (Mountain View, Seventh-Grade Orchestra).
In an email sent on Jan. 19, MVMS Band Director Kaden Christensen, CVMS Band Director Nathan Banks, and MVMS and CVMS Orchestra Director Shae Skiles shared this piece of news about three students: “During the weekend of Jan. 12, Adelaide Shaw (Mountain View, Seventh-Grade Orchestra), Benjamin Tanner (Mountain View, Seventh-Grade Band), and Cedar Zondervan (Chehalem Valley, Eighth-Grade Band) attended the 2024 Oregon Music Education Association Conference (OMEA) in Eugene. The trio each performed with the Middle School All-State Band or Orchestra.”
Only a handful of students are chosen, and the selection process is intense.
“All three students prepared audition music over the summer of 2023, submitted recordings in the fall, and were awarded a position in their respective ensembles,” the teachers’ statement said. “The All-State Band and Orchestra invite roughly 120 of the best middle school band and orchestra musicians in the entire state of Oregon.”
The students gain a great deal from the experience, including an intensive musical experience with other gifted, like-minded students, the teachers explained.
“In just two days, the students in these bands rehearse for more than 10 hours to perform for families and music teachers attending the conference. Being invited to the OMEA All-State Conference is among the highest honors for middle school musicians, and we are incredibly proud of them for representing the Newberg-Dundee School District and their respective music programs in such a positive light. Congratulations Benjamin, Adelaide, and Cedar!”