In Symphonic Orchestra, seniors Christine Shao (violin)Two and Nathaniel Ho (viola) are known for their musical prowess. They’ve achieved the highest ratings in Solo and Ensemble Festival and have played for All State Orchestra for two years.

Every year, two students from the  All State Orchestra can audition for a special orchestra called the All-National Honors Ensemble. Lafayette Orchestra Director Joseph Gutowski encouraged Shao and Ho to audition.

“I thought the excerpts were really challenging, and I thought it would give a little boost in my technique,” Shao said.

Shao and Ho have really used the advice Gutowski gives to improve their technique and that advice and practice have paid off as they were both selected for this prestigious honor.

“When I listen to my students play, I have an judge’s ear to listen to them. I can hear things and give them specific feedback about their playing to improve. People like Christine and Nathaniel, is that they take that feedback and apply it to their music,” Gutowski said .

Shao and Ho will go to Texas to attend a music convention where they’ll meet students from different parts of the nation. Shao talks about the excitement about being selected for NAfME.

“Being chosen is really exciting because in November we’re going to Texas for a conference to meet youth musicians of all instruments from different parts of the United States,” Shao said .

Shao got her musical start when she was five by playing the piano and making the switch to violin in 4th grade.

“I started on piano when I was 5 years old because my parents introduced me to it. Through the Rockwood Music Program, I started playing the violin in 4th grade. I continued with violin and started taking it seriously in eighth grade when I started learning from a private teacher,” Shao said .

Unlike Shao, Ho was originally a violinist who made the switch to viola in his freshman year after being convinced to do so by Mr. Gutowski.

“In middle school, to be honest, I sucked at violin, and I didn’t really feel the music. But once I switched to viola, I started to feel what music feels like and things got better from there,” Ho said.

The All-National Honors Ensemble is a collection of the top musicians from schools nationwide. They will meet in November for instruction and a special performance.