Medical Lake band, choir compete at All-State

MEDICAL LAKE — All-state honors in any sport shine the spotlight on a job well done on the field, track or court.

The same is true in other disciplines and with Medical Lake that has and does ring true on a regular basis with its music and band program. The school is regularly represented in the competition.

Recently, band teacher Craig Johnson returned from taking a record number of students to participate in the All State Bands/Choirs competition in Yakima.

“It’s just a huge honor to get accepted each year, to know you are one of the top musicians in the state of Washington,” Johnson said. “It’s a good pat on the back for all your years of hard work.”

To be part of this elite group takes a great deal of work and dedication by both musicians and judges, Johnson added.

“Kids across the state of Washington have to record the same exercise, about three to four tracks of three to four different examples,” he said. “So you have to be the top and that instrument to be accepted in the state of Washington.”

Next, the judging committee takes however many they’re going to fit into those ensembles to form the All-State groups.

All-State competition takes place every two years and in between come the All-Northwest edition. The state competition takes place each year in Yakima and next year Spokane will host the All-Northwest which also rotates with Bellevue and Portland.

“You are competing against six states,” Johnson said.

While the competition was very much team oriented, Johnson singled out a pair of individuals from the school.

“Nicole Ehr was selected on tuba to be in the orchestra rather than the band,” Johnson said. “So that was really cool, she got to be an orchestra versus the band, which is good because she plays with the Spokane Youth Symphony.”

Senior percussionist Riley Olmstead also had a unique honor.

Olmstead was accepted into the first-ever all-state percussion ensemble and was recognized at the performance by Grammy Artist, Sheila E. for being the only girl in the group of eight students. She was also the only person from Eastern Washington.

With dual post-high school goals of entering the U.S. Marine Corps — and playing music — the Marine Band recruiter was there to watch Olmstead who is auditioning for the group.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.