Get this. A music festival . . . but not PMEA!

Seniors Gretchen Berendt, Lindsay Malloy, Dominic Palombo, Lucy Rabak, and Eric Trehar; juniors Liana Kerr, Evan Linkimer, and Nick Palombo, Charlie Snow; sophomore William Lamb, freshman Rebecca Mizer; middle schoolers Isaac Allen, Jameson Bonnar, Caitlin Downer, Klayton Kaunert, Elizabeth Laughlin, Tim Mateer, Maddi O’Leary, and Delaney Thomas participated in the County Band festival at New Brighton High School April 6.

“At county band, I got to play some challenging music with kids from all over the county. I actually made a few friends outside of my school,” said Kerr.

The guest conductor at the festival was Dr. Travis J. Weller from Messiah College in Mechanicsburg. The pieces played at the festival were Festival Prelude, A Time to Dance, Hope for Tomorrow, Noble Men, and American Visions.

“Dr. Weller was a really awesome conductor. He had a lot of really insightful comments for the band while also entertaining us with stories,” recalled Malloy.

“Schools are usually separated by sports and create rivals. However, county band gets schools together to play some great music, and I had an awesome time,” explained Trehar.

And it wasn’t just the students who found the experience rewarding.

“You have wonderful students, and it was a pleasure to work with them last week at New Brighton High School. They are a credit to your community and school as wonderful ambassadors who happen to be great musicians,” said Dr. Weller.

Congratulations to all students who represented Beaver at the County Band festival!