Wrangell sent four high school students to Honor Fest in Craig last month: (from left) senior Spencer Petticrew on trumpet, junior Ander Edens singing bass, sophomore Clara Edens singing alto, and senior Alisha Armstrong on clarinet.
Not only is Wrangell High School sending two vocalists to the state music festival in Anchorage for the first time in years, but they are brother and sister.
It will be a repeat performance later this month for junior Ander Edens, who went to state last year. The vocalist will perform in a mixed choir as a Bass 2.
His sister, sophomore Clara Edens, will perform at state for the first time, singing the Alto 2 part.
"This is the first year that we're taking two kids to state," music teacher Tasha Morse said of her tenure at the school district.
Even sending one student to state is unusual. In the past 16 years, Wrangell students have been chosen only six times, Morse said.
The teacher learned on Oct. 8 that the Edens were chosen for the All-State Music Festival. The students learned of the honor the next day, and have been preparing ever since.
"State is pretty prestigious," Morse said. "Just like any sports competition, you want to make it to state."
However, Morse pointed out the only real competition at these events are the entrance auditions and determining which students will serve as first chair, the best musician or vocalist to lead each section. "They do get medals for that," she said, but otherwise, it's a collaborative effort.
Morse said the same spirit of cooperation was present on Oct. 24 at Honor Fest in Craig with about 100 young musicians from all over Southeast. Ander and Clara Edens performed in choir at that event. Seniors Alisha Armstrong and Spencer Petticrew, who played clarinet and trumpet in the band, respectively, joined them.
"They had a lovely performance," Morse said of her students at Honor Fest. "They did really great."
As her students were given about a month to prepare prior to rehearsals for Honor Fest, she said it was a rare opportunity to perform with a full-size ensemble of approximately 50 performers. "We've only got 10 in the high school band this year," she said.
Morse also mentioned how Honor Fest is approaching a milestone. "This was the 49th festival in Southeast," she said. "All of the music teachers are excited to be a part of the upcoming 50th anniversary."
As the festival rotates between communities, she said Wrangell would have an opportunity to host Honor Fest in three years.
In the meantime, as the two students prepare for the state music festival, Morse stressed the importance of music being a part of their lives, regardless of future career choices. "I don't care if you go into music after high school, but continue to make it," she said, "Appreciate it."
The All-State Music Festival in Anchorage will run Nov. 16-18 at Bartlett and West Anchorage high schools.
A gala performance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at West Anchorage High. For those unable to attend, there may be a livestream video of the performance. If one is available, it will be posted on the Wrangell Public Schools Facebook page. For more information, visit asaa.org/activities/music.
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