Kaidyn Rogers and Gregory Stuber both advanced through districts and regionals of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) competition, and managed to secure spots in the PMEA All-States Choir and All-States Concert Band respectively.

The expectations for the students who perform in All-States are significantly higher, as they’re considered some of the best in the state.

“One thing that was really cool about All-States is it was the hardest repertoire of specifically choir music that I’ve ever gotten the privilege to work on. The ensemble, immediately in your first rehearsal, is blending and doing super well. Everything is working so well together,” said Rogers.

Rogers, an Alto II, noted that her favorite song to work on was “The Dream Keeper: No.4 ‘Song'” composed by William Averitt. The piece is set to a poem of the same name by Langston Hughes.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Musical Selection, Gregory Stuber

Stuber also enjoyed his time at All-States, praising his fellow performers.

“It was nice. Everyone was extraordinarily talented. The music was very hard and entertaining. It was a great bonding experience for all of us to be a part of something that big,” said Stuber.

Stuber, who plays the String Bass, said the piece that stood out the most to him was one entitled, “Ceremonial Flourishes”

“It was incredibly difficult and hard to put together. (There were) a lot of contrasting rhythms and harsh chords. Very difficult and fun to play. It was probably the most difficult song I’ve had to play,” said Stuber.

Stuber is pursuing a career in music, and found the opportunity to play with other dedicated performers to be highly rewarding.

Rogers agreed, noting the unique experience of being a self-trained vocalist at an event like PMEA.

“It’s really rewarding to see my dedication pay off,” said Rogers.

Though these students did incredibly well, because they are seniors this is where their PMEA journey ends.

Both students gave one last incredible performance at their graduation ceremony on June 4, 2024.

Rogers blew the audience away with her performance of “What I Did For Love” from “A Chorus Line” by Edward Kleban and Marvin Hamlisch, and Stuber was part of an ensemble that performed “The Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppet Movie” by Paul WIlliams and Kenneth Ascher, arr. Larry Moore.

Seniors Ashton Brickley, drum set; Kyle Haigh, piano; Annalise Mann, alto saxophone; Elaina Packer, French horn and Emily Shetler, violin also performed this piece.