Submitted by Berry College
BERRY COLLEGE MUSICIANS CHOSEN FOR STATEWIDE
ALL-COLLEGE BAND AND ORCHESTRA
ROME — Six Berry College students were among a group of approximately 105 elite musicians statewide who were selected to perform with the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-College Band and Orchestra during the organization’s January meeting in Savannah. The selected musicians represented many different colleges and universities across the state, including Emory University, Georgia State University, Mercer University and Georgia Southern University.
To earn a chair in the All-College Band or Orchestra, students must first receive a nomination from college faculty. Final selections are made by a statewide committee with representation from all institutions and instruments. Four Berry musicians were named to the All-College Band, marking the sixth consecutive year that Berry has been represented. Two others were named to the All-College Orchestra, which made its debut at this year’s conference. Both performed Jan. 29 in Savannah.
“The GMEA All-College Band and Orchestra is an ensemble of the best college level players from the state of Georgia,” explained Dr. Stan Pethel, chair of Berry’s fine arts program. “It’s a unique opportunity for instrumentalists from across the state to come together musically and socially. They will be the leaders of music education in the near future.”
Berry students who performed with the All-College Band include:
· Megan Benson is a junior communication major from Stockbridge, Ga. Megan plays the flute and is the daughter of Thomas and Patricia Benson.
· Ashley Holland is a sophomore chemistry major from Trion, Ga. Ashley plays the bassoon and is the daughter of Ms. Linda Holland.
· Thomas Ryan is a senior music education major from Silver Creek, Ga. Thomas plays the euphonium and is the son of David and Melinda Ryan.
· Marc Johnson is a senior music education major from Rome, Ga. Marc plays the tenor saxophone and is the son of James and Araceli Satcher.
Berry students who performed with the All-College Orchestra include:
· Joel Keene is a freshman history major from Huntsville, Ala. Joel plays the double bass and is the son of Rodger and Susan Keene.
· Rachel Childs is a sophomore English major from Marietta, Ga. Rachel plays the viola and is the daughter of Mark and Shirley Childs.
