• BAHS is this year’s host for PMEA Region 3 Band Fest

    bf18Five Bellefonte Area High School students are represented at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region 3 Band Festival held Feb. 22-24 at the high school. This is the second time in about 15 years Bellefonte Area has been host to the event.

    But many students are going into the fest with different outlooks, though have the same mission to play good music.

    In his last year participating, senior Seth Johnson, who plays the trumpet, is hoping to get first chair during a concert and make it to the All-State level. Sophomore oboist Linzy Fetterolf, on the other hand, said the fest is more about gaining experience.

    Nearly 200 student musicians from 41 school districts in 11 counties qualified for regionals during a district band fest in January. It includes five of eight Bellefonte Area students, according to elementary Band Director Jayme Zimmerman.

    The first day of the event included practice time with guest conductor M. Gregory Martin from West Chester University, followed by a set of individual All-State auditions. There will be a public concert Saturday morning.

    *By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD