Senior Jonathan Pickell was named first chair for euphonium, an instrument similar to the tuba, on Friday at PMEA Band districts.
The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Band hosts three multiday festivals throughout the school year every year. Students begin by auditioning at districts, and if they are selected they proceed to regions, then they go to states if they make it past regions.
Pickell was the only student from Baldwin to attend districts.
The festival took place over the course of three days. Pickell found out his score and that he was named chair on Friday morning. He was satisfied with it.
“I got my score back, and it wasn’t half bad, so I’m pretty happy with it,” Pickell said.
To prepare for districts, Pickell spent time in the days leading up to the festival really looking into his music.
“A couple days beforehand, I really started looking at the music for an hour and did it each day,” he said.
Band director Emery Palmer credits Pickell for his dedication to music.
“He has a work ethic I don’t think I’ve ever seen in any high schooler,” Palmer said. “He has a study hall every day during second block, and he’s in my room practicing.”
The festival also gives students the opportunity to socialize with other musicians from around the area.
“Jonny gets to meet other people who play his instrument at the same caliber that he does, considering they’re practicing for several hours a day,” Palmer said.
Throughout the years, Pickell has made friends through the event.
“I have a lot of friends that I’ve met at different PMEA events. I spent a lot of time with Avonworth kids. They were pretty cool,” he said.
Pickell also sees benefits in being able to work with different conductors.
“I think it’s a really good experience, because you get to work with a different conductor each time, and they all have different perspectives on how to play music. Then it’s interesting to see how the conductor handles that and creates one unified band,” he said.
Pickell has already started preparing for regions, which will happen at the end of March.
