![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Students named part of prestigious All-State Band and Orchestra
Junior Michael Lu, a new member of All-State Orchestra., practices with the the Lafayette Symphonic Orchestra
On Dec. 2, eight students from the orchestra and band programs auditioned for Missouri’s All-State Orchestra and Band, which brings musically talented students all across Missouri to perform music under renowned conductors.
This year, Symphonic Orchestra students senior Rohan Bohra and juniors Emily Liu and Michael Lu, have been selected to participate in All-State Orchestra.
From band, seniors Liam Newman and Andy Min, junior Drew Leslie, sophomore Geoff Ladue and freshman Noah Korenfeld made it to All-State Band.
“All-State has been one of my goals ever since I started playing the violin, so getting in feels really satisfying,” Lu said.
Any Missouri high school student that takes private lessons or is in their high school orchestra can audition for All-State.
“There are two different ensembles- All-State Orchestra and All-State Band. All-State Band is a bit different in the way that only those in All-Suburban Band could audition for All-State. However, All-State Orchestra also has band players too, and those who get first chair in their respective instrument section are offered to either play in orchestra or band,” Orchestra Director Joseph Gutowski said.
In order to audition, students are required to play two scales and two excerpts from classical pieces. The excerpts range from pieces of famous artists like Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Beethoven.
This year, the award-winning conductor is Roger Kalia, who is the Assistant Conductor of Pacific Symphony and the Music Director of Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra.
“All-State is the top orchestra in the state that comprises of high school students from any Missouri high school orchestra program,” Gutowski said.
Out of the 10 students who auditioned from LHS, only three students were accepted.
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![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-600x400.jpg)
