John Bapst musicians qualify for festival

BANGOR – Last November, high school musicians from around Maine auditioned for a number of limited spots in the All State orchestra, band and chorus. The students’ scores from that audition determined which musicians would participate and their roles in the individual groups. This year, John Bapst Memorial High School musicians earned seats in all three venues.

In May, 10 Bapst musicians attended the All State Festival held in Orono.

. Orchestra members were Maren Askins of Bangor and John Frankland of Orrington on cello, and Ryan Lena of Orono and Nathan Lesser of Orono on violin.

. Band members were Owen Firestone of Bangor and Carolyn Ryder of Levant on flute.

. Grant Batchelder of Clifton, Matt Edwards of Glenburn, Jordan Trundy of Clifton and Kristyn Murphy of Orrington were all selected for chorus.

As an added bonus for the John Bapst musicians, Nate Lesser was chosen to serve as concertmaster for the All State Orchestra. Lesser has studied violin for 10 years and participates in the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Fedrico Cortese, who was conductor of this year’s All State Orchestra.

For more information about John Bapst Memorial High School, visit www.johnbapst.org.