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MHS music students receive honors

Five Marion High School music students have qualified for top honors in various state competitions, according to MHS instrumental music director Mike McConnell.

Rachel Davidson and Sabine Teichert competed Saturday in the state piano festival competition at Wichita State University, Davidson received a II+ while Teichert received a I-.

The two qualified for the state festival Feb. 5 by obtaining I ratings during regional competition at McPherson College. Other MHS students competing at regional were Isaac Guetersloh, Allison Meador, Ben Leppke, and Anna Krich. They each received II ratings.

Two MHS students, Michael Brookens and Jordan Timm, have been named as members of the All-State Chorus, while MHS exchange student Sasha Mikheyeva has been named to the All-State Band.

Brookens, Timm, and Mikheyeva will be rehearsing this week during the Kansas Music Educators Association Convention in Wichita. Both young men will sing bass in the state choir, while Mikheyeva qualified for state band on trumpet.

"They will be rehearsing with other kids from all across the state," McConnell said. "Sasha is one of 18 trumpeteers who qualified by audition from schools of all size."

Students began the qualification process for state back in November when they auditioned to be members of all-district groups. There are six music districts in Kansas and tryouts are open to students in all districts.

"Once students qualify for all-district they can audition for all-state," McConnell explained. "All auditions are live auditions unless prior arrangements are made."

McConnell said it was a "tremendous honor" for the students to be named to the all-state performance groups.

"It's very demanding, but they'll sing and play with outstanding musicians under the direction of nationally and internationally known teachers," he said.

Brookens, Timm, and Mikheyeva will perform Saturday in concert, the culminating event of the KMEA convention.

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