Schools & Students published April 30, 2024

WILLMAR — Seven Willmar High School music students were recently selected to the 2024-2025 Minnesota Music Educators All-State ensembles. Being selected as members of the all-state groups is the highest honor any high school musicians can attain in the state of Minnesota. Students were selected to the ensembles based on auditions that consisted of etudes, scales, solos, and overall musicianship.

Selected to the all-state bands were: Brandon Escalon Valladares on flute, Ryan Newberg on tenor saxophone, Sam Oswood on bass clarinet, and Timothy Halvoson on trumpet. Selected to the all-state choirs were: Aeda Villnow, David Lammers, and Mathias Elmhorst.

1/7: Brandon Escalon Valladares Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

2/7: Ryan Newberg Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

3/7: Sam Oswood Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

4/7: Timothy Halvorson Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

5/7: Aeda Villnow Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

6/7: David Lammers Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

7/7: Mathias Elmhorst Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

The All-State music camps will be July 30 - Aug. 3 at Concordia College in Moorhead for bands and St. John's University in Collegeville for choirs. The groups will come together again next February to perform in Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis during the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Conference.

WILLMAR — Willmar Senior High School freshman Brandon Araujo was recently selected as a member of the Minnesota Band Directors Association 9th-10th grade State Honor Band.

Contributed / Willmar Senior High School

More than 295 students from across the state auditioned for the ensemble. The honor band performed in concert on Sunday, April 14, at Edina High School.