Local All-state musicians recognized

Despite the annual All-State Band, Choir and Orchestra Festival being canceled this year due to COVID-19, 26 local high school students selected to participate in the competitive program were recently recognized for their talents.

To be considered, students had to audition by recording and submitting a sampling of scales and songs to demonstrate their abilities.

Previously scheduled Oct. 14-16, the festival usually brings together hundreds of top student musicians and guest conductors from around the state, to participate in intensive rehearsals, culminating with a gala performance. It was canceled as a result of state and health department restrictions on crowd size and social distancing.

Following are the students selected from Columbia Falls, Flathead, Glacier and Whitefish high schools.

Students selected from Columbia Falls High School include: Sean Burgess, band, trombone; Zoey Byrd, choir, alto 1; Grace Cincis, choir, soprano 2; and Gabriel Falzarano, choir tenor 1.

Flathead High School students include: Ethan Bay, orchestra, viola; Eva Bruce, band, clarinet; Caleb Cattron, choir, bass 2; Clarissa Erb, choir, soprano 1; Austin Galloway, choir, tenor 1; Colter Girardot, band, trumpet; Sydney Harp, choir, soprano 2; Rylee Houser, choir, soprano 2; Dyson Linden, band, French horn; Sydney Loudermilk, choir, soprano 1; Michael Manning, choir, bass 1; Caden Masa, choir, bass 1; Carson Robison, choir, tenor 1; and Kailey Stevens, choir alto 2.

Students selected from Glacier High School include: Dresden Allred, choir, tenor 2; Kerraline Bemis, choir, alto 2; Paul Cornish, choir, tenor 2; Ellison Eaton, choir, soprano 2; Ty Espeseth, choir, bass 1; Mason Rediger, bass 2; and Alexa Wilton, choir, alto 1.

Whitefish High School viola player Bethany Barnes was chosen to perform in the All-State orchestra.