Schools
Whiz Kid: Rebecca Silverstein
Quaker Valley sophomore is one of only three high school flute players from southwestern Pennsylvania to participate in the PMEA All-State Concert Band in April.
Name: Rebecca Silverstein
Year: Sophomore
School: Quaker Valley High School
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Key to Awesomeness: While many kids give up their instruments after elementary school, Rebecca Silverstein, 16, of Sewickley, kept at it since she began playing in fourth grade and has become an accomplished flutist.
At the end of March, she placed second at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region I Band Festival in Butler, which made her eligible to be one of only three high school flute players from southwestern Pennsylvania to participate in the PMEA All-State Concert Band from April 13-16 at the Hershey Convention Center.
Find out what's happening in Sewickleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"This is a major accomplishment as Rebecca is only a sophomore and is new to PMEA competition,” said Cory Neville, director of instrumental music at Quaker Valley High School. “Also, flute is one of the most highly competitive instruments when it comes to advancing to the all-state festival.”
When participants arrived in Hershey for the festival, they auditioned for seating. Silverstein earned the first-chair spot. The band is made up mostly of seniors.
“I'm so thrilled to even have gone to states as a sophomore, and I'm totally honored to have been first chair,” Silverstein said.
Silverstein said after putting in “tons of time and effort into preparing the music,” the most talented high school band performers in the state put on the concert.
