“I’m going to cry…”

Hold back those tears, Becca, because you made it!

November 13, sophomores Shannon Witkouski, Nolan Natali, Ciana Novak, and Becca Mizer along with seniors Nick Palombo and Evan Linkimer travelled to Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA to audition for the PMEA Honors Band.

The Honors Band is a group comprised of students from 33 schools across the PMEA district who all compete for chair placement in their instrument section within the band.

Of the six Beaver Area students who auditioned, four were selected for the group: Novak on baritone, Mizer on clarinet, Palombo on trumpet, and Linkimer on french horn.

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to play in this year’s Honors Band! Since four years ago, I’ve been watching my sister when she went to honors band. Now it’s time for me to experience playing in the band for myself,” said Novak.

These four students will attend the Honors Band festival from December 12-14 and will perform a concert Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. The guest conductor will be Dr. Elizabeth Peterson who is the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois.

“Being part of the Honors Band is an amazing experience, and I’m excited to be a part of it again. The music is always fun to play, and the guest directors are so much fun to work with,” said Palombo, after being accepted into the group last year.