Dedicated Whitefish students compete in State Music Festival

Whitefish High School music students recently had an eventful week with the State Music Festival. Band, orchestra, and choir students participated from all around Montana, coming together to perform pieces in front judges in order to evaluate their success. Each music student was given the opportunity to participate in State Festival in order to further their musical successes. Students from Whitefish definitely brought the party, with two full buses full of energetic, and enthusiastic students all eager to participate in the festival.

For the past couple of months, ensembles and soloists have been preparing songs which were judged at district music festival two weeks ago. District music festival is held in close proximity to your home school over a period of days. Each high school orchestra, band, and choir are required to participate as a whole, preparing two pieces for the judges to assess. In addition to the required pieces, musicians can prepare extra pieces in smaller groups which the judges will also listen to and determine whether or not the ensemble should be given the opportunity to travel to state.

State was held in Helena this year, bringing students from all around the state who were given superior ratings at District Music Festival. Traveling to state takes a lot of practice and commitment. Time spent studying for most students, was spent rehearsing extra songs in order to do the best that they can when performing for the judges.

These students and their dedicated teachers had a busy couple of days last Thursday and Friday. In order to keep up with schoolwork and also spring sports, music students and their dedicated teachers will leave Thursday after school and return Friday evening after a full day of performances in front of tough judges.

The dedication and love of music of all performers is obvious in the time and effort spent each day rehearsing just for their own personal love of music. The addition of travel to a different city each year for State shows another level of perseverance. Music is very important to so many students and the level of commitment is at par with the other activities at school, from sports to academics to environmental groups, showing just how diverse and talented WHS is.

Annie Howeth is a senior at Whitefish High School.