LEWISTOWN — Eleven Juniata Valley student musicians advanced to the regional level of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association band competition this year, placing them just one step from the Pennsylvania State Band through sustained commitment to their craft.

Students from Mifflin County High School and Juniata High School earned selection to the PMEA Region III Band Festival, held at Penns Valley Area High School from March 18-20, following successful advancement through district-level auditions earlier in the season. Regional selection represents the final round before state competition in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association festival system.

A total of six students from Mifflin County High School qualified for regional band: Caleb Noerr, Hannah Jones, Aaron Zylstra, Alia Diehl, Bailey Horner and Kyler Baker. The students advanced from the District IV Band Festival after strong audition performances.

Mifflin County High School Director of Bands Brandon Kahley said the group represented the school at a high level throughout the district festival process. “The students performed extremely well and represented our school wonderfully,” Kahley said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the musicians that I was able to take to the District IV Festival from Mifflin County (and now to regionals).”

Kahley also emphasized the educational value of the experience, noting his appreciation for the opportunity students had to work under professional direction. “I look forward to the students taking home the lessons they learned from the guest director,” he said.

Five students from Juniata High School also performed at the Region III Festival: Alivia Foltz, Hannah Ehrisman, John Randolph, Natalee Wolfe and Selena Mayall-Marker.

Juniata High School Band Director Brad Eargle praised his students following the regional performance, saying he was “proud of Juniata High School” musicians for a “fantastic Region III Band Festival.”

The regional band festival brings together top student musicians from across central Pennsylvania for an intensive rehearsal and performance experience led by a guest conductor. Students are selected through a competitive audition process that evaluates tone quality, technique, musical accuracy and expression.

Reaching the regional level reflects years of preparation, daily practice and sustained participation in school music programs. For many students, preparation begins long before audition season, with private lessons, ensemble rehearsals and independent study forming the foundation for advancement.

Selection to regional band places students one audition away from the PMEA State Band Festival, the highest recognition available to high school musicians in Pennsylvania. Only a limited number of regional performers advance to the state level.

Educators from both schools noted that beyond competition results, the festival experience reinforces discipline, collaboration and musicianship — skills students carry forward regardless of advancement. With strong representation from both schools, the county’s regional showing highlights the continued commitment of students and educators alike to music as a serious academic and artistic pursuit.