We are thrilled to announce that Harrison Sarnac, one of our exceptional students and French horn players, has been accepted into the 2024 Michigan School Band and Orchestra (MSBOA), All-State Honors Band! This prestigious accomplishment reflects Harrison's dedication, talent, and hard work in the field of music.
The MSBOA Allstate program, established in the 2005-06 school year, recognizes outstanding musical achievements among students across the state. The selection process is highly competitive, involving a recorded audition for placement in five distinguished ensembles: a middle school string orchestra, a middle school band, a high school full orchestra, a high school band, and a high school jazz ensemble
To earn a place in the ensembles, students like Harrison must demonstrate their musical prowess by preparing a recorded audition at a site chosen by MSBOA consisting of an etude, a series of scales, and a sight-reading session during each 10-minute recorded audition. Impressively each audition is submitted anonymously, identified only by a number, ensuring a fair and unbiased evaluation by expert adjudicators.
It's worth noting the significance of this accomplishment, considering that in an average year, 2400 students audition, vying for only 400 seats in the five ensembles. This year was the largest year they've had yet almost 2800 students auditioning for placement. The process culminates in January when selected students gather for 2 1/2 days of rehearsal led by nationally recognized conductors. The Grand finale is a spectacular concert held on Saturday at the Michigan Music Conference.
This year’s performance took place at Devos Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, January 27 at 8:00 AM for an audience of approximately 1,000 people comprised of music educators, performers ranging from professional to amateur, family, friends, and community members. The 106 member, 2024 All-State Middle School Band was comprised of 1 piccolo, 10 flutes, 4 oboes, 5 bassoons, 20 clarinets, 4 bass clarinets, 4 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, 3 bari-saxophones, 19 trumpets, 8 French horns, 8 trombones, 5 euphoniums, 6 tubas and 7 percussionists. These students are from 57 different middle schools throughout the state of Michigan.
The Ensemble was under the direction of Dr. Andrew Boysen Jr. who is presently a professor in the music department at the University of New Hampshire where he conducts the wind symphony and teaches conducting and composition. Dr. Boysen received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Eastman School of Music, his Masters of Music degree from Northwestern University, and his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Iowa.
The 2024 MSBOA Middle School Honors Band performed “Rhythm Stand" by Jennifer Higdon, “The Haunted Carousel" by Erika Svanoe, “King Across the Water" by Bruce Fraser, and “Lorenzo’s Clock" by Andrew Boysen Jr. Overall, the performance was an amazing display of skill and talent from the best middle school musicians in the state of Michigan.
Please join us in congratulating Harrison for his outstanding achievement and for representing Morenci Area Schools at this esteemed musical event. We are incredibly proud of Harrison for his dedication to musical excellence.