Miguel Torres reached the highest level a high school musician can achieve by earning a place in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival music ensembles. He participated in the All-State Concert Band in Erie April 18-20 representing Bishop McCort Catholic High School — the first individual from McCort in a decade.
Each year, thousands of high school musicians across the state audition in their geographic area. Individually, students perform for a panel of judges. Student musicians who rank the highest advance to compete against student musicians from other parts of PMEA Regions. The highest-ranking student musicians at the PMEA Region level qualify to perform in one of six Pennsylvania All-State music ensembles.
“Our congratulations go out to the student musicians that have been selected to be part of the 2024 PMEA All-State Festival,” commented PMEA President and music educator in the Octorara Area School District, Scott Cullen. “There is nothing quite like coming together for a unique performance experience that only the PMEA All-State Festival can provide. The students selected to participate in these ensembles represent all the amazing music programs from across the commonwealth and remind us of how strong music education is in Pennsylvania.”
Nationally recognized conductors at the convention directed the groups who rehearsed for two days and concluded the experience with a performance.
