Several of the Wrangell High School musicians who will be heading to Honor Fest this year. Pictured left to right are Robyn Booker, Jade Balansag, Laura Helgeson, Coby Holder, Paige Baggen, and alternate Danika Smith. Not pictured is Sophie O'Brien and alternate Hannah Brown.
Tasha Morse, music teacher for Wrangell High School, said that six of her students will be traveling to Juneau soon for Honor Fest. The annual music festival, taking place from Oct. 20 to 22 this year at Thunder Mountain High School, brings together some of the best musicians that Southeast Alaskan high schools have to offer for several days of performances. Morse said that this is the highest number of students Wrangell has seen in Honor Fest in several years.
"Last year we took two kids," she said. "The year before we took three. This is the most number of kids in probably four or five years."
The Wrangell students are Laura Helgeson on the flute, violinists Paige Baggen and Sophie O'Brien, and singers Jade Balansag, Coby Holder, and Robin Booker. Two alternates were selected from Wrangell as well, Morse said, in case students from other high schools have to drop out unexpectedly. The alternates this year are Hannah Brown and Danika Smith.
Being selected for Honor Fest is a big deal, Morse said. Teachers from schools all over Southeast Alaska come together and listen to students' auditions. From these auditioning students, the teachers then build a band and choir that will perform over the two-and-a-half days of the festival.
Not only does Honor Fest give music students more practice performing in larger groups, she said that it also looks very good on their transcripts when the time comes for them to apply for college.
"There's a saying out there that the band is undefeated, so we continue to be undefeated," Morse said with a laugh, adding later, "It's a really fun time, the kids always seem to really enjoy it."
Morse added Wrangell will be hosting next year's Honor Fest in 2020.
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