John Bapst musician given national honor

BANGOR – John Bapst Memorial High School junior Nate Lesser has been selected to perform with the National High School Honors Orchestra in Albuquerque, N.M.

Lesser, the only musician from Maine selected for the honor, will join 120 musicians in February from around the country to play under the baton of Jung-Ho Pak, conductor and artistic director of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra.

The National High School Honors Orchestra is sponsored by the American Strings Teachers Association.

Lesser is an accomplished musician at John Bapst, participating in the chamber ensemble, band, chorale and concert choir.

John Bapst Band Director Julienne Ewing said, “Nate’s musical talents and dedication have grown steadily over the past year, and his selection to the national festival is well deserved. Immersed in a musical event of that magnitude and under the leadership of one of America’s great directors, Nate will undoubtedly flourish.

“Considering the challenging music the Honors Orchestra will perform,” she said, “I expect that Nate will bring home with him an inspired insight to the nuances of his violin, and I look forward to having him share that experience with us here at Bapst.”

Lesser also plays regularly with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and has played and toured Europe with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has been concertmaster of the Maine All-State Orchestra for the past two years.

He is the son of Mary Ellin Logue and Mark Lesser of Orono.