LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County High School students participating in choir and concert band have found success during festival season.

This year at MCHS, eight students were selected participate in regional choir after beating out their competition at districts.

These students included: Max Persing – Bass I, Malachi Snyder – Bass I, Breanna Forshey – Alto II, Cora Hartzler – Soprano I, Lia Barahona – Soprano II, Ava Shank – Soprano II and Emmah Miller – Alto I.

The regional choir festival occurred earlier this month at Bellefonte Area High School. The festival was conducted by Dr. Amy Vorhees from Susquehanna University.

In order to audition, students have to be in grades 10-12 and be a part of the MCHS Cantare group.

Festival season is always a great way for students to immerse themselves in a singing experience.

“The purpose of the festival is to give students an opportunity to sing music with a larger ensemble than they have in their schools,” said MCHS choir director, Vicki Fensterbush.

Students often take a lot of time to prepare for the festival. “We have weekly rehearsals as a group, as well as private lessons with Ms. Fesnterbush.” said second-year choir student, Lia Barahona.

Many choir students have goals for their season. Six-year choir student Max Persing added that he auditioned because of his “need to succeed and love of singing.”

As for future events, three students have been selected to participate in the All-State Choir. These students include: Max persing – Bass II, Malachi Snyder – Bass II, and Breanna Forshey – Alto II.

The three performers will get the privilege of going to the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in the Poconos from Wednesday, April 9 to Saturday, April 12. All-State Choir will be directed by Dr. Rachael Cornaccio from Messiah University.

Competition season has also been in high gear for MCHS band students. Eleven musicians participated in the district band festival, held at Juniata Valley High School.

“All of the students attending the district band festival did an excellent job,” band director Art Belfiore said. “All of them performed above their expectations.”

Attendees were: Kaden Baker – Trombone 3, Ava Liebegott – Flute 2, Reese Bennett – Cornet 2, Jaylie Shaffer – Horn 4, Alia Diehl – Clarinet 3, Caleb Noerr – Euphonium, Hannah Jones – Clarinet 3, Dayna Zeiders – Tenor Saxophone, and Noah Sunderland – Tuba. Nine of those students qualified to move on to the regional competition, held at Altoona Area High School.

The festival was directed by Dr. Russell McCutcheon from Gettysburg College.

Nine-year band student Dayna Zeiders practiced extensively for regionals.

“I play every song the whole way through, and then I go back to the parts that I struggled with or didn’t know how to play,” she said.

Competition at regionals was fierce this year. Mifflin County came home with one first-chair placement, Kaden Baker on trombone.

“The students worked hard and were well-prepared,” Belfiore said. “They had a good time at the festival, and I am very proud of how they prepared and performed.”