Seven Whitefish High School music students were selected to attend the All-State Music Festival in Billings Oct. 18-20. They rehearsed for two full days with world-class conductors and put on a concert at the end. 

The selected band students are junior Bjorn Bungener on trombone, senior Kira Raines on french horn, and junior Paige Sebby on trumpet. One sophomore orchestra student, bassist Marlis Nargi-Bass, was selected. Three choir members were selected: senior Scarlet Burke, freshman Madeline Spear, and junior Grayson Wood.  

“The students gain experience collaborating with musicians who are dedicated and take their craft as seriously as they do,” said Matthew King, Whitefish High School band instructor. “It can be life-changing and something they will remember forever.” 

The All-State honor for music is different from sports honors in that there is just one band, one orchestra and one choir for the entire state. Each ensemble includes all class sizes of schools, from Class C to AA.  

Students prepare for months to submit a recording of their unique and often challenging, professional level musical excerpts. They submit their auditions in June for a committee to review and students find out if they were selected at the end of the summer. 

Choir member Madeline Spear said that she had to audition at the end of eighth grade to qualify. “I applied singing classical but do jazz too. It feels like I got into something big as a freshman,” Spear said.  

“The honor of making these groups truly distinguishes these students as among the best in the state. Just preparing the auditions alone is a big undertaking and achievement,” King said.  

The All-State music festival is also a valuable experience for instructors, as it coincides with Montana Music Educator Association Conferences. While students rehearse all day, educators attend clinics at the same location presented by master teachers from around the country. 

“The band, choir and orchestra teacher organizations all take time each year to brainstorm future topic ideas and presenter options, so the conference is always relevant and useful.” King said. “We come back to school recharged and excited with practical tools to use in class. It's one of the best weeks of the year in the music community.”