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Shaler Area students accepted into PMEA honors and district music ensembles
Grace CosentinoErika Kenst
 
Shaler Area is proud to announce two Shaler Area High School students were accepted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1 Band ensemble.
 
Junior Grace Cosentino and senior Erika Kenst, who both play the clarinet, will represent Shaler Area in the PMEA District 1 Band Festival at Duquesne University on January 28-29, 2022. As part of the event, both students will go through a grueling audition process to potentially be selected for the next level of PMEA. Additionally, these students will rehearse for two days straight and showcase their hard work in a concert performance. This festival is comprised of students from 54 districts in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and counties. The guest conductor will be Dr. James Gourlay, Director of Bands at Duquesne University and Artistic Director of River City Brass.
 
Grace has been playing the clarinet since 4th grade and is a member of the high school’s wind ensemble. She also participates in the high school musicals pit orchestra and the marching band. Erika started playing clarinet in 4th grade and now performs in the high school’s wind ensemble. She also plays baritone saxophone in the high school’s Honors Jazz Band. She is a drum major in the Shaler Area Marching Band and is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
 
Additionally, Grace was accepted into the PMEA Honors Band. Hundreds of students from 60 different schools auditioned for this ensemble. PMEA Honors Band will be held at North Hills School District on November 19-21, 2021. Students selected will rehearse for 3 days straight and showcase their hard work in a concert performance. The guest conductor this year will be Dr. Scott C. Tobias, Director of Bands at West Virginia.