This year, the 2023 Armstrong County Senior High Band Festival was held at West Shamokin Junior-Senior High School. Twenty-three AHS students were selected to participate in the musical ensemble, joining students from West Shamokin, Leechburg Area High School, Freeport Area High School, and Apollo-Ridge High School.

Everett Walker, 12; Hailey Sellers, 12; Zoey Dobrosky, 11; Cara Campbell, 10; Hunter Nanney, 10; and Marlee Smith, 10, represented AHS as featured soloists in the concert. 

Lenape Elementary Band Director and Armstrong River Hawks Marching Band Brass Instructor Louis Ribar conducted the County Band concert, which was his first time leading a band festival. He chose five songs for the program, two of which were composed to promote the importance of mental health. 

At the concert, Mr. Ribar explained that “Fragile,” and “Choose Joy,” each composed by Randall Standridge, were written to express each side of the mental health spectrum. The former piece was “a meditation on the lives of those who live with mental health conditions,” according to sheet music retailer  J. W. Pepper.

“Choose Joy” was “inspired by a high school student who found happy moments even in the face of cancer,” according to J. W. Pepper. 

The concert also featured “Temple of the Murals,” composed by Brian Balmages,  “Into the Storm,” composed by Robert W. Smith, and a version of “Amazing Grace” as a chorale warm-up. 

Senior Hailey Sellers expressed enjoyment in participating in the county band festival this year and admiration in her peers’ abilities. Hailey has participated in County Band festivals for three years and was chosen to attend the Pennsylvania Music Educator Association’s All-State Band Festival this past spring.  

Hailey played two bass clarinet solos during the concert for “Into the Storm,” and “Temple of the Murals.” Hailey explained that although the solos weren’t hard, “counting itself” was. “Into the Storm” was her favorite piece to play at the concert. 

Sophomore Cara Campbell played a solo in “Choose Joy.” Cara said that her solo was “hard,” but that she had been preparing for it. This year was Cara’s first Senior High County Band, but she participated in Junior High County Band in eighth and ninth grade. 

Cara enjoyed the festival this year, and described the pieces as “fun.” Her favorite song was “Choose Joy.” 

Lilly Polka, 12; Zakk Boyer, 12; Abby Marcinek, 12; Caroline Holm, 12; Xoie Shoup, 12; Austin Stello, 12; Nathan Ferraro, 12; Ava Lattanzio, 12; Matt Mclafferty, 12; Wyatt Prunty, 11; Mollie Bouch, 11; Madison Crossley, 11; Jerri-Lynn Matson, 10; Mia Shaffer, 10; Amber Bartl, 10; and Xabien Shoup, 10, also represented AHS in the concert.