West, South Salem take top honors at state music competitions

Despite losing half their members during the pandemic, West Salem High School’s musicians are again state champions.

The school swept the Oregon School Activities Association competitions held mid-May, taking first place in 6A band, string orchestra and symphony orchestra.

“I cannot be more thrilled,” director Todd Zimbelman said. The school’s band also won state in 2022.

But, he said, the honors don’t signify the pandemic’s impact on Salem’s music programs is over.

“We are nowhere…