Fairland student earns national music honors

Published 10:44 am Wednesday, March 23, 2011

RESTON, Va. — The National Association for Music Education announced the members of the 2011 All-National Honor Ensembles. The students selected will rehearse and perform together in June in Washington DC.

Nichole Carper, a sophomore at Fairland High School, was named to the MENC 2011 All-National Concert Band, performing on clarinet

Nichole, a clarinetis, has participated in the instrumental music program at Fairland HS and Fairland MS since sixth grade. She has studied clarinet with her mother, Julie Carper, Donald Williams, DMA, past professor of music and chairman of the music department at Marshall University, and retired Chesapeake Elementary school music teacher Sandra Lemke. This year, Nichole has been selected to the Ohio University Honor Band, The Ohio State University Honor Band, The Marshall University Honor Band, and 1st chair clarinet in both the Lawrence County All County Band and the OMEA District 17 All-District Band.

“Nichole is a very hard working and dedicated student of the clarinet,” said Keith Carper, Nichole’s band director and father. “Nichole worked very hard to prepare the audition music for the ensemble and will be working hard to raise funds for the trip.”

MENC established its National Honor Ensembles as the ultimate recognition of music student performance, beyond state and divisional levels.

“We are very pleased to offer this unique performance opportunity to a very select group of our nation’s finest high school musicians,” said David Weatherred, MENC Northwest Division past-president and chair of the All-National Honor Ensembles.

“Over the course of four days, these top flight musicians will rehearse with marvelous and inspirational conductors, leading up to an exceptional finale performance on June 26. The 2011 MENC All-National Honor Ensembles will most surely be a once in a lifetime musical experience for these incredible high school musicians!”

The complete list of students is available online at www.mencevents.org.