The All-State Orchestra met in the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in the Poconos April 6-9. Apart from rehearsing with the orchestra throughout the week for their performance on the morning of April 9, Charlie also was able to explore the conference exhibits, attend a talk by motivational speaker Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, and hear a live featured performance by the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own.”
"PMEA All-States was an excellent experience. I am more than pleased to have had the honor and privilege of being selected to be a part of such an accomplished and talented group of musicians," says Crane.
QVHS Orchestra Director, Mr. Cory Neville, sponsored Charlie’s path to states. “Charlie is an amazing student and musician, and I cannot be happier that such a deserving young man earned his way to All-State Orchestra this year. For student musicians across Pennsylvania, competing to make it to All-State is the ‘big prize’ in school music competition. Years of hard work led him to this moment. We are very proud of how well he has represented himself, his family, our orchestra program, and the QV community through this process.” Charlie is now the third QVHS Orchestra student since 2019 to achieve this goal.
The All-State Orchestra was led this year by conductor Jason Seber of the Kansas City Symphony. A nationally known and active orchestral conductor, Seber is originally from Erie, PA. Mr. Seber shared with the students and audience that he was particularly honored to be chosen as the All-State Orchestra guest conductor. He was a member of the PMEA All-State Orchestra as a high school student over 20 years ago.
After graduation, Crane plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He says he hopes to one day work in the robotics industry.