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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