Music News

SKMEA presents the 2023

middle school honor festival

Program

Guest Band Conductor ~ Meghan Wagner 

Guest Orchestra Conductor ~ Dr. James Ray

Guest Choral Conductor ~ Craig Schell

Gauntlet  -   Doug Spata
Plink, Plank, Plunk   -  Leroy Anderson
Moonstone  -  Yukiko Nishimura
Capriol Suite, movement 1  -  Peter Warlock

Amavolovolo     -  Traditional Zulu Song
                              Arr. by Rudolf de Beer

About The Festival
This is the twenty-fifth Mid-Level Honor Festival presented by Sno-King Music  Educators.  Participating students on this evening’s program were nominated by their directors as outstanding musicians at each school.  They were selected through a screening process involving director’s ratings, instrumentation, and 
balance needs with consideration given to fair representation from each 
applicant school.  The students spent over four hours in rehearsal today with guest conductors.  Many hours of preparation took place prior to today, as students were prepared by their own directors and private teachers, in addition to individual private practice.  These students represent the best of our area’s music programs.  Congratulations to these young musicians, and also to their parents and families for their support and encouragement.

After School Korean percussion ensemble

Pungmul is a genre of traditional Korean drumming that includes rhythm and movement based on rice farming culture. A Pungmul class has been offered as part of the Distsrict's Summer Music School for many years and this year will expand.

The district will offer a free after school program at Mountlake Terace High, Edmonds Pungmul Pae. The Korean percussion ensemble is geared toward secondary students and will meet twice a week.

Students and families who are interested in joining the Pungmul ensemble are encouraged to complete the below interest form. 

Edmonds Pungmul Pae interest form

Edmonds Pungmul Pae will be available for performances beginning in 2023. Please contact Matthew Benuska if interested.

In August, students from the Edmonds Summer Music School Pungmul class performed at the Korean American Chamber of Commerce's "Waba Korea Festival" at Pier 69 in Seattle.

photo courtesy of SeattleN

Congratulations to State Qualifying Music Students!

  On Saturday, February 5th, Lynnwood High School hosted the Sno-King Music Educators (SKMEA) Solo/Ensemble contest. Approximately 900 students performed solos, or in various ensembles throughout the day. Amy Stevenson and Phil Onishi did a fantastic job of hosting the event which ran smoothly and safely. LHS musicians professionally handled the duties of room monitors, runner and event staff. Overall, it was an incredible day of music making in a positive, encouraging environment.

The SKMEA Solo/Ensemble contest is a regionally qualifying event for the WIAA/WMEA State Solo/Ensemble contest which will be held at Central Washington University at the end of April.  Students who place first in their categories automatically qualify for the State Contest.  First and Second Alternates are also eligible for the State Contest on a space available basis, and often get the opportunity to compete.  

ALL of the musicians performing on Saturday are winners, and went above and beyond by challenging themselves and performing!  But, the following Edmonds students rose to the top of their categories, and either qualified for, or are eligible to perform at the state level.  If you know any of these students, please share your congratulations!

Oboe-English Horn
Winner:  Rose Tiponut, Lynnwood High School
Clarinet
First Alternate: Taneli Freeman, Edmonds-Woodway High School
Soprano-Alto Saxophone
Winner:  Jackson McCormick, Lynnwood High School
First Alternate:  Aurysia Ko, Meadowdale High School
Tenor-Baritone Saxophone
First Alternate:  Jackson McCormick, Lynnwood High School
Trumpet/Cornet
First Alternate:  Ethan Weight, Mountlake Terrace High School
Second Alternate:  Abby Setala, Mountlake Terrace High School
Mallets
First Alternate:  Shinhyun Kim, Edmonds-Woodway High School
Bass Voice
First Alternate:  Lucas Alyea, Edmonds-Woodway High School
Piano
First Alternate:  Forrest Aubrey, Edmonds-Woodway High School
Second Alternate:  Joyce Ho, Edmonds-Woodway High School
Woodwinds-Large
First Alternate:  LHS #6 WE Clarinet Choir, Lynnwood High School
Second Alternate:  MDHS Clarinet Choir, Meadowdale High School
Woodwinds-Small
Winner:  Clarkettes, Edmonds-Woodway High School
Second Alternate:  LHS #11 WE Sax Quartet, Lynnwood High School
Mixed Vocal-Large
First Alternate:  LHS #16 Voices Royale, Lynnwood High School

                                                     ~~~

Congratulations! Amy Stevenson, SnoKing Region Outstanding Music Educator!

Amy Stevenson, Music Director at LHS, has been selected by the SnoKing Region music educators as their 2022 WMEA Regional Outstanding Music Educator!

"You are a most deserving recipient of this recognition as evidenced by the outstanding work you do each day in bringing music to life for students. As an outstanding music educator in your region, and indeed throughout the state, you have garnered the respect not only of your students but also of your colleagues. Thank you for your dedication, pursuit of excellence, and belief in the value of music education. Every day,  you make a difference that inspires others!"

-Andrea Klouse,

Past President

Washington Music Educators Association

~~~

Congratulations to Phil Onishi and Kate Labiak who have both been selected for induction into the WMEA Hall of Fame.  The formal presentation will be at the WMEA State conference in February.  These are two talented, dedicated and caring teachers who exemplify excellence, and richly deserve this honor and recognition.  Please make a point of reaching out to them with your congratulations!  Edmonds is so fortunate to have exemplary music teachers like Kate and Phil!

Announcing the Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Paul Elliott Cobbs              Kate Labiak

Geoffrey Boers                  Chris Bruya

Michael Brant                    Don Pearce

Scott Brown                        Phil Onishi