2 Shaler Area students selected to PMEA District 1 Band Ensemble

Two Shaler Area High School students were accepted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1 Band ensemble.

Junior Grace Cosentino and senior Erika Kenst, who both play the clarinet, will represent Shaler Area in the PMEA District 1 Band Festival at Duquesne University on Jan. 28-29, 2022. As part of the event, both students will go through a grueling audition process to potentially be selected for the next level of PMEA. Additionally, these students will rehearse for two days and showcase their hard work in a concert performance. The festival is comprised of students from 54 districts in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

Guest conductor will be Dr. James Gourlay, director of bands at Duquesne University and artistic director of River City Brass.

Cosentino has been playing the clarinet since fourth grade and is a member of the high school’s wind ensemble. She also participates in the high school musicals pit orchestra and marching band.

Kenst started playing clarinet in fourth grade and now performs in the high school’s wind ensemble. She also plays baritone saxophone in the high school’s honors jazz band. She is a drum major in the Shaler Area marching band and is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Additionally, Cosentino was accepted into the PMEA Honors Band. Hundreds of students from 60 different schools auditioned for this ensemble. PMEA Honors Band was held at North Hills School District Nov. 19-21. Guest conductor was Dr. Scott C. Tobias, director of bands at West Virginia University.