Maggie Lohmann began strings class with Frank Dzelski when she was in the fourth grade at Johnson Elementary School. She remembers what inspired her.

 

“I saw a friend play her violin in church and my desire to learn blossomed after that,” she said. “I ended up being the only student from my class at Johnson to continue and I feel it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

 

Lohmann, along with fellow Bridgeport High School student Mackenzie Steele and Bridgeport Middle School students Laiken Cook, Sophia Gorby, Lilah Kimble, Katy Klenk, Maria Lacaria, Sam Stauffer and Braden Zannino have been selected to participate in the West Virginia All-State Orchestra.

 

Auditions were held Saturday at BHS. Each auditioning student played selected scales, a solo of his or her choice and selected excerpts from two pieces to be featured in concert performances to be held March 13 and 14 at the state convention in Charleston. Those with the highest scores in their section - Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello and Bass - were selected to be members of the All-State Orchestra.The violin section is broken into two parts. For example, Violin 1 is melody and Violin 2 is harmony. 

 

“The judges chose the best musicians that they feel will achieve the best balance with each other,” said Lohmann, a violinist in her junior year at BHS.

 

Lohmann, who was also selected during her freshman year, said she is very excited for the honor. Not only does she love being able to play with such talented musicians from around the state, she also loves meeting new people.

 

“It is also nice because I don't have the opportunity to rehearse with the entire orchestra at school because there are two different sections of strings at BHS,” Lohmann said. “It's a wonderful experience being able to rehearse so much with the orchestra at All-State before the performance.”

 

This is Mackenzie Steele’s first year to achieve the musical honor. It’s even the first year she’s auditioned.

 

“I'm excited because music is a dream of mine. It’s what I love to do and I'm honored to represent BHS as a member of the All-State Orchestra,” said Steele, who began playing the viola in fourth grade while attending Johnson Elementary School.

 

“I chose viola because I didn't want to play an instrument that you hear of all the time,” said the BHS sophomore.

 

Both musicians said their strings teacher, Tricia Price, has played a major role in the development of their respective talents. She has not only served as a musical educator, but also a mentor and encourager, the girls said. Price said both girls have displayed hard work and dedicated practice.

 

“This is a great opportunity for our students because once they get to Charleston, they will be rehearsing and performing alongside other outstanding string musicians in our state,” Price said. “The knowledge and skills they will receive there, as well as the friendships and connections they make will make this an unforgettable experience.”

 

Selected student musicians will continue to work on the musical selections up through the West Virginia Music Educators Conference in mid-March. The High School All-State Orchestra will perform Saturday, March 14 and the Middle School All-State Orchestra will perform Friday evening, March 13.

 

This is the first year for the Middle School group, Price explained.

 

“The members of the All-State Orchestra committee had discussed adding a middle school group for a few years,” she said. “Last year, the committee approached the WVMEA Executive Board and it was approved.  We are now making history.”

 

 

Bridgeport High School has hosted All-State Orchestra auditions for the past five years.  Eight judges included music faculty members from Marshall University and West Virginia University.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from above is Lohmann and Steele. Pictured on the cover and just above are members of the Bridgeport Middle School All-State Orchestra.