On Saturday, April 22, three outstanding Gettysburg Area High School students attended the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Music Festival. All three had been selected to perform in the elite All-State Concert Band.
The students, Kim Heinzelmann, Spencer Kennedy, and Linden Amster, competed in multiple auditions before being selected.
Heinzelmann began playing the French horn in fourth grade and has been at it ever since. Kennedy started on the piano at seven, but has since found his passion for percussion. Amster has been playing the trumpet for the past eleven years.
Qualifying for the competition requires serious dedication. Heinzelmann and Kennedy said they practice between 10-12 hours per week. “I practice almost every day of the week. Last year I did a lot of individual practice, but this year I have a free period while I am here at school and I’ll use that to practice,” said Heinzelmann. “I am also involved in community ensembles here. I play in a couple of Gettysburg College ensembles, so I have rehearsals three nights a week too.”
“Ensemble playing is probably about three hours of the week and then I also practice a little under an hour most days,” said Kennedy.
Despite long hours of practice, Amster said the work is rewarding. “ You get to come together with some of the best musicians in the state and create a concert. I’ve had a lot of fun making music with my peers.”
Heinzelmann emphasized the social aspects of the competition. “It’s really a social thing more so than music. I have made some really good friends and this year we united the Gettysburg, Chambersburg, and Mechanicsburg musicians and became the ‘burg’ because we were always together.”
Kennedy said he particularly remembered his season in the GAHS marching band. “I was the only member in our front ensemble, the collection of instruments that do not march around the field. I got to play 4-6 instruments on any given match at the same time and it was super fun. I am 6’7” so I am pretty recognizable. When I went to the district festivals all of the other kids in the marching band recognized me,” he said
The All-states competition is the end of the competition season for the trio, as seniors are ineligible to continue in national competitions.
Heinzelmann, Kennedy, and Amster all expect to pursue higher degrees at their respective colleges. Although they have not fully decided if they will obtain a degree in music, each one agrees that music will be a part of their life no matter what.
Featured image caption: (l to r) Heinzelmann, Kennedy, and Amster.
Cate is a current senior Gettysburg College studying political science. She is from Kennebunk, Maine and has three Labrador retrievers, Maisy, Rosebud, and Sunflower Bee. In addition to her interest in writing and journalism Cate loves to travel, cook, watch movies, and listen to music.