LHS Well-Represented In Honors Music Ensembles

Fall is the time for the Ohio Music Education Association to select members for its All-State music ensembles. Once again, Lakewood High will be well-represented in the All-State Orchestra, All-State Choir and All-State band. The groups will perform in February at the OMEA's conference in Columbus.

Members of OMEA's Northeast Region Orchestra have also been selected and all 13 of the Lakewood High students who auditioned on Sept. 24 for this select group were chosen. Members for OMEA's All-State Orchestra were chosen from those who auditioned for Region and out of the 13 who auditioned, six were named to the All-State group and three were named alternates. The six selected for All-State is the highest number for any school in Northeast Ohio.

Congratulations to the following LHS students who will be participating in the Region Orchestra, which performs Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. at Cleveland State’s Wolstein Center: Andy Peng, first chair violin and concertmaster; Cooper Brown, violin; Kendall King, violin; Claire Gliozzi, violin; Devon Caskey, viola; Zach Prebel, viola; Bea Aldrich, viola; Chelsea Polk, cello; Danny Toner, cello; Moira Horn, cello; Matt Sims, cello; Jenny Hood, bass; and Katie Reading, harp.

All-State Orchestra members are: Andy Peng; Devon Caskey, Chelsea Polk, Danny Toner, Jenny Hood and Katie Reading, who will play harp if the ensemble uses the instrument in its arrangements. Alternates are Cooper Brown, Moira Horn and Zach Prebel.

Orchestra Director Beth Hankins is pleased that so many of her students will have the opportunity to play in these prestigious ensembles. “Lakewood has a strong tradition of participation in the NE Region Orchestra as well as Ohio Music Education All- State Orchestra. In the past few years more students from Lakewood have been auditioning and more are being accepted. It is with great pride that I will send these amazing students to perform at Cleveland State and in Columbus, as they are fantastic musicians and true ambassadors,” she said. “I know that the Lakewood City Schools and the Lakewood community are excited to see so many Lakewood students striving for excellence and achieving it!”

Heading to Columbus for the All-State Choir will be LHS Mixed Symphonic Choir members Abby Boland, soprano; Jack DeBaltzo, bass; Rachel Guetling, soprano; Grace Lazos, soprano; and Luke Lemmeier, tenor.

The All-State Band will also have Lakewood High representation as Lindsay Furtado has been selected to play the clarinet for the honors band.

These musicians and vocalists all practice for many hours each week and to be recognized as among the state’s top high school musical talent is a wonderful reward for their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to all!