Clarkston musicians earned several state honors and a spot at this weekend’s Michigan Youth Arts Festival at Western Michigan University.
Soloists qualifying for State level of Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Solo and Ensemble include Clarkston students Shannon Goebel, horn; Patrick Furlo, horn; Kevin Thompson, tuba; Michael Gieske, bassoon; Lauren Rodewald, double bass; Andrew Thompson, 12, double bass; and Katy Bragan, 10, double bass.
They will perform with the festival’s Orchestra, rehearsing Thursday through Saturday with a grand finale Concert on Saturday.
Thompson and Furlo also earned auditions in the Concerto Competition to solo at the festival’s Gala Concert with orchestral accompaniment, Friday.
Clarkston High School Chamber Winds, CHS Brass Quintet, and Clarkston Clarinet Choir earned First Division at both district and state Solo and Ensemble Festivals, and were chosen as two of the best ensembles in the state.
Students in these ensembles Furlo; Thompson; Chris Benedict, trombone; Libbey Lussenhop, trumpet; Taylor Portelo, trumpet. The group will perform at the Gala Concert on Friday evening and again on Saturday morning.
The Clarinet Choir includes Stephanie Hamilton, Nicole Whitmore, Jenna Shahly, Lauryn Johnson, Angela Goodwin, Justin Orminski, Michael Gieske, Mary Allan, Breanna Crothers, Melissa Chamberlain, Connor Daly-Seiler, Suzanne Egan, Mary Grego, Louise Haven, Michelle Tharp, and Alex VanBrocklin.
The festival runs May 13-15. For more information, go to www.michiganyoutharts.org.