Musicians selected to elite group

Eleven talented and hard-working student musicians from around the area have been selected to perform in one of the National Association for Music Education All-Northwest honor groups.

Local honorees are: Flathead High School band students Tommy Diegel and Anna Schultz, orchestra students Meredith Iams and Andrew Schultz; Glacier High School band students Evan Kohler, Nathan Mayhak and Trevor Woodward; Libby High School band student Sabra Hancock; and Whitefish High School band students Jolene Green and Eric Holdhusen, and choir student Caroline Dye.

The students will join 1,097 other top musicians from six states who will perform with All-Northwest high school bands, orchestras and choirs at the National Association for Music Education Northwest Division Conference Feb. 16-19 in Bellevue, Washington.

These students are “highly motivated leaders” said Glacier High School band director Dave Barr. He said the musicians practice daily and importantly, “love to play music.”

More than 4,600 students auditioned for a spot in the honor groups and at the conference, which is organized by the Washington Music Educators Association.

“The audition process for All-Northwest requires a lot of preparation on the details,” said Whitefish High School choir teacher Emily Hackethorn.

Besides performing with other top musicians, students get to challenge themselves under the direction of top conductors and perform “music that is worthy of their hard work and best efforts,” Libby High School band director Brenda Nagode said.

When students return from the conference they bring back “a broader appreciation for what they have learned and what they can still learn,” Barr said.

“Performing with the best can only make one better,” Barr said.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.