Two sophomores at Hempfield High School (HHS) have been selected as 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State members. From Wednesday, April 6, to Saturday, April 9, clarinetist Andre Hurst will join the PMEA All-State Wind Ensemble and cellist Maya Sauder will join the PMEA All-State Orchestra during the All-State Festival. The event will take place at the Kalahari Resort & Conference Center in the Poconos.

PMEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of over 4,000 members dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians.

Hurst and Sauder have extensive musical backgrounds. Hurst has been playing the clarinet since fourth grade, which is when the band program begins in the Hempfield School District. Before he picked up the clarinet, however, he learned how to play the piano as a kindergartner. Having that musical knowledge helped Hurst advance on the clarinet relatively quickly. As a result, his aunt enrolled him in private music lessons, which Hurst said were a lot of fun because he could play music that was on his level. Later on, as an eighth-grader, Hurst started playing in ensembles outside of school, which made him realize how much he truly enjoys the clarinet.

Sauder picked up the cello at the age of 5; she said she comes from a musically inclined family. According to Sauder, the cello has become such an essential part of her life that she has never considered stopping.

"My parents have always been supportive," commented Sauder. "They've driven me so many places, whether it be lessons or rehearsals, so I definitely couldn't have had all of the experiences I've had without their support."

This was the first year the students were eligible to audition for PMEA. Due to their selection as All-State members, they will both have the opportunity to advance to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National level next year. HHS band director Matt Ceresini emphasized that although details of this process has not been released yet, it is a possibility for the future.

"They're both great people, and they both really love music and interacting with the other musicians," stated Ceresini. "A lot of people associate making All-State with being talented, which they both certainly have a lot of talent, but that talent is informed by all of the time and focus they put into practicing."

For those who want to pursue playing an instrument, Hurst has some advice. "Don't let the goal of playing an instrument be making states, districts, or regions because if that's your goal, then you're not going to get as far with it," he said. "When and if you reach that goal, then you're not going to see a point in playing the instrument anymore. You need to play it because you enjoy it."

To learn more about PMEA, visit http://www.pmea.net.