An experienced group of Wrangell High School musicians will attend this year’s Honor Music Festival Oct. 25-27 in Haines. Sophomores Clara Carney and Stella Buness, junior Silje Morse and senior Andrei Bardin-Siekawitch all represented the choir and band at last year’s fest — which was held in Wrangell — and are eager to learn and perform again this year.

The Honor Music Fest brings together students from high schools across Southeast Alaska, from Haines to Metlakatla, for music instruction and performance with guest directors. It is a chance to practice and create vocal and instrumental music as a group with a shared love and purpose.

Buness, who was selected to sing Soprano 2, said it was a different experience than a typical choir class, where motivations can vary. “The students want to be there, and they like music.”

Carney agreed, “It is an elevated group who want to be there and have the same goal to sound the best we can.”

Morse, who sings the Alto 2 part, said it was interesting to compare the music selections from year to year. “The music is a little easier this year because last year there were songs in different languages. This year there is really just one challenging piece.” 

She also noted the connections that are made at the festival. “I like the travel, and lots of people go every year, so you can make friends and get to know them.”

“I have to think about my voice,” said Carney, who will be singing Soprano 1. “So many things can affect it before a performance, like a cold. I’m also playing a volleyball tournament before the Music Fest, and I usually yell a lot for that. I have to remember to take care of my voice.”

The only instrumentalist participating is Bardin-Siekawitch, on tenor saxophone. He said it was fun to work on new and challenging music, and working with a group of people who are passionate about music is an environment that “you just can’t get anywhere else. Everyone there is collaborative.”

He also noted the benefit of working with the guest directors: “They make me think about flow and phrasing — not just about the notes, but the affect it will have on the audience.”

The guest conductors for this year’s event are band director Peter Neu, director of the Villanova University jazz band. He has been recognized for excellence in music education by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

Taryn Gervais is the guest choir conductor. She teaches voice at the University of Kansas School of Music.

Buness reflected on her experience last year, and her anticipation of this year: “As much as I love choir class in school, there is a limit to what we can do. The Music Fest allows us to experience what’s possible.”

In addition to the Honor Music Fest, Bardin-Siekawitch has been selected for the 2026 All-State Music Festival, to be held in Anchorage Nov. 19-21.

The audition process for the All-State Band is much more rigorous than the regional Honor Fest, and Bardin-Siekawitch is music teacher Tasha Morse’s first band student to go to state.

“The audition piece for the Honor Fest has been one consistent piece of music year after year,” she said. “The audition music for All-State could be one of three works, so it takes more preparation to be ready for whichever one is selected for that year.”

There are only five tenor saxophone seats available, so the process is very competitive. “These student musicians really are the best of the best in the state,” said Morse.