Twelve band and orchestra students represented Walled Lake Consolidated Schools at the Michigan Music Conference
Six high school and five middle band and orchestra students shined over the weekend at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids.
Walled Lake Western alto saxophone player Noah Springer was selected as one of the top young composers in Michigan and performed his full orchestra composition, Lost.
Eleven students were also chosen for the 2024-25 All-State program. Only the top performers for each instrument were selected out of over 2,700 middle school and high school students that auditioned. Those students then had the opportunity to rehearse with esteemed conductors for two days before performing on Saturday at the Michigan Music Conference.
Sarah G. Banks Middle School’s Brady Cruzen (clarinet), Nicholas Heuvers (tuba), and Arden Ishmakej (clarinet) were joined by Clifford H. Smart Middle School French horn player Evan Reed in the Middle School All-State Band. Bulldogs’ violinist Chaewon Kim was our lone middle schooler to perform in with the All-State Orchestra.
Walled Lake Northern’s Caleb Bauer (violin) and Claire Spoutz (double bass) performed as part of the High School All-State Orchestra. Knights’ percussionist Matthew Staron was joined by Walled Lake Western’s Vadim Afanasyev (clarinet) and Alejandro Samaniego Ramos (baritone saxophone) in the High School All-State Band. Warriors’ trumpet player Carter Tucker-Grough also performed as part of the High School All-State Jazz Emsemble.
Additionally, Walled Lake Central’s Han Chau (violin), Walled Lake Northern’s Scott Konopka (bass clarinet) and Gustave Vellozzo (baritone saxophone), and Sarah G. Banks Middle School’s Josh Wilson (bass clarinet) received honorable mention recognition for their outstanding auditions.