Members of the high school band, jazz band and choir spent three days in Juneau earlier this month for the 51st annual Southeast Music Festival.
“There are no winners or losers at Music Fest,” and no trophies, said Tasha Morse, who is in her 17th year teaching music at Wrangell schools.
“It is a learning experience. … It’s kind of like a master class,” with guest musicians, called adjudicators, listening and coaching the students one-on-one and in small ensembles.
Music Fest was held April 10-12 at Juneau-Douglas High School, with morning and afternoon sessions followed by evening performances by large ensembles.
“This is the first time in many years our high school choir was on the stage,” Morse said, explaining that the turnout for choir has been relatively small in Wrangell — but this year, six students enrolled.
“We take all of our high school music students (to Music Fest),” she said. This year, that included students from choir and both bands: Natalia Ashton, Andrei Bardin-Siekawitch, Breann Boon, Madelyn Davies, Ander Edens, Clara Edens, Alana Harrison, Kalee Herman, Peter Houser, Paige Hoyt, Kailyn McCutcheon, Silje Morse, Susan Neff, Cooper Powers and Bella Ritchie.
“Our music festival is as big as Region V (Southeast) basketball,” said Morse.
Morse’s own musical career is nothing to scoff at. The teacher began her musical life with the flute in fifth grade, moved to tenor sax as a high school sophomore and expanded her skills with even more instruments in college. “I dabble in drums.”
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