Perry Hall High Wind Ensemble Tops State Music Festivals

For the first time in Scott Engel's memory, the received superior ratings at the state music festivals, held this spring at Morgan State University.

Engel, who has directed the band for the past six years, said the honor belongs entirely to the students. While bands, orchestras and choirs are required to compete in county competitions, state competitions are optional for those that qualify.

"It's pretty much up to the students and how much they want to compete," he said. "They had to give up part of their spring break to practice."

Participating students, as shown in the photo, include:

• Front row (left to right on the floor): Abigail Hamm, Matthew White, Michelle Cody, Caitlin Seluzicki, Caroline Wille, Connella Coles, Kimberly Taylor, Michelle Krach, Michael Koogle
• Second row: Carrie Zaydel, Elizabeth Matys, Seong Su Kim, Shi Woo Ji, Jennie Askew, Lucas Gaylor, Kelsey Amirault, Brittany Deitrich, Kandi Wong, Alexis Rosenthal, Richard Yang, Erin Winters
• Third row: Alexa Harant, Christopher Hall, Taylor Russo, Nicholas Purkey, Marina Nicholas, Gene Yang, Emily Lottes, Erica Marousek, Kathleen Cather, Cassidy Keller, Emily Streett, Kristina Cather, Timothy Bender
• Fourth row: Ethan Berg, Eric Lucas, Julia (Kate) Shelton, Stewart Riggins, Michael Santoro, Evan Smith, Andrew Sauthoff, Joshua Hinkel, Daniel Breysse, Vincent Ciattei, José Cruz, Matthew Ingalls, Phoebe Soroka
• Top row: Marc Woika, Williams Parks, Andrew (Matt) Jackson, Alex Synan, Connor Porter, Zachary Smith, Ian Tierney, Paul (Garrett) Sherman, Ryan Satmary, Kevin Roberts, Dante Cannon, Mr. Scott Engel

Groups that received superior ratings at the county level but did not participate in a state festival included the Chamber Choir, the Symphonic Orchestra and the 8th Grade Orchestra.