Salem-Keizer music programs win bevy of state awards
Salem is home to the best high school orchestras in Oregon.
That’s according to the annual Oregon State Activities Association competitions held in May, where local high schools dominated the competition, and choir and band programs also took home state honors.
Among the top honors: South Salem High School again placed first in the string and full orchestra competitions after winning both competitions last year. The ensemble is under the direction of Damian Berdakin.
West Salem High School’s band tied for first in the 6A division.
Of the 15 string orchestras that competed at state, the top four were Salem and Keizer high schools. West Salem High School placed second, followed by McNary High School and Sprague High School.
McKay High School’s band won the 5A division at state, and its jazz band also placed first in the annual Oregon Music Educators Association state championship.
More than a dozen students competing in smaller ensembles and solo performances also won honors at the association’s chamber music and solo and ensemble state competitions.
“It was a fantastic season,” said Stephen Lytle, the Salem-Keizer School District’s coordinator for music and drama. “The musical excellence of some of these performances was just outstanding.”
Music programs have long been a bright spot for the district. Music classes are offered in every elementary school and students can join orchestra or band starting in 4th grade.
The Music Lessons Project, a nonprofit organization, has for years offered free solo lessons to students at local schools who otherwise couldn’t afford them, helping hone talent.
Lytle described watching the performances as “thrilling.”
He recalled listening to South’s band, under the direction of JJ Meyer, perform a slow movement from a work by British composer Gordon Jacob at the finals.
“When it’s done really well the conductor has to take some risks and has to really trust the ensemble,” he said, comparing it to Tarzan swinging from ropes in the jungle. “One rope and you trust the next one’s there when you need it. The trust was verified each time.”
To get to state, students and ensembles first compete in district or regional performances. At the state level, the competition is stiff, with many solo contests drawing over a dozen competitors.
Here’s a list of winning ensembles and competitors.
Orchestra
South: 1st place full orchestra, 1st place string orchestra
McNary: 2nd place full orchestra, tied for 3rd place string orchestra
West: 2nd place string orchestra
Sprague High School: Tied for 3rd place string orchestra
Band
McKay: 1st place, 5A band and 1st place, 5A jazz band
West: Tied for 1st place, 6A band
South: 3rd place, 6A band
Choir
West: 2nd place, 6A choir
McKay: Tied for 1st place, 5A choir
South: 4th place, 6A choir
Chamber music
McKay
3rd place, large percussion ensemble
South
2nd place, small string ensemble (cello duet)
Sprague
1st place, large string ensemble (piano quintet)
3rd place, large mixed vocal ensemble (Framework)
West
1st place, large mixed vocal ensemble (Soundscape)
2nd place, contemporary vocal ensemble (Soundscape)
1st place, small percussion ensemble
Solo competition
McKay
James Meissner, 2nd place, euphonium, and 4th place, trombone
McNary
Talia Mesecar, 1st place, flute
Ryken Wells, 3rd place, trombone
South
Kamil Finger, 1st place, baritone voice
Sasha Williams, 1st place, low clarinet
Koyuki Blaumer, 2nd place, cello
West
Trevor Henkel, 1st place, euphonium
Dante Caballero, 1st place, high saxophone and 1st place, low saxophone
Jeramyah Acosta, 1st place, rudimental snare drum, 2nd place, orchestral snare drum and 5th place, mallet
Juliet Davis, 3rd place, alto voice
Bode Rosendahl, 3rd place, tenor voice
Taylor Aguilar, 4th place, French horn
Correction: This article originally failed to list tied score placements for West Salem, McKay and Sprague. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers education, economic development and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for over a decade and is a past president of Oregon's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Outside of work, you can often find her gardening or with her nose buried in a book.
