AWHS Symphonic Winds Shines at OMEA Convention
The Anthony Wayne High School Symphonic Winds recently traveled to Cleveland to perform at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Convention, a prestigious event that selected only four schools for participation through a blind audition process. The 51-member ensemble performed an hour-long program featuring works by Vaughan Williams, Jager, and Weill, among others.
Percussionist Carly Hemmelgarn described the experience as "really fun," adding, "Although playing at this level should have brought some pressure, it really didn’t feel that way. The big room made the audience feel smaller."
Junior euphonium player Jacob Proctor highlighted the opportunity to connect with musicians and educators. "The convention floor was cool. We explored the building, and there were tons of tables with instruments and college representatives," he said. "It was such a neat experience to travel with a group of people to a place you’ve never been and get to play music at that level."
The ensemble also had the opportunity to watch the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and All-State Honor Band perform.
AWHS was previously selected for the honor to perform at the OMEA Convention in 2014 and 2019.
Five Singers Selected for OMEA District 1 Honors Festival
The Anthony Wayne High School Choral Department was represented by five singers at the 2025 OMEA District 1 Honors Festival on January 19. Selected by audition, the students rehearsed and performed with other top musicians from Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Williams and Wood Counties.
Selected for the choir were Madeline Shamy, Fiona Ellison, Layla Doyle, Amelia Cappel and Foster Thompson. The AWHS Vocal Music Director is Kayla Dye.
Band and Choir Students Find Success at Solo & Ensemble
Anthony Wayne students also excelled at the 2025 OMEA Region 1 Solo & Ensemble Contest. The optional event gives students the opportunity to prepare a selected piece of music to perform in front of a judge.
Performers are given a score of Superior [1], Excellent [2], Very Good [3], Good [2], or Fair [1].
AW Director of Bands, Roy Young said the experience helps students develop their skills. “When the students work individually and in small ensembles, they become better, independent musicians," he said. “When no one else is playing your part, you have to be really confident in what you are doing.”
Anthony Wayne musicians earned the following awards:
Instrumental Solos: 42 superior ratings, 12 excellent ratings
Instrumental Ensembles: 22 superior ratings, 5 excellent ratings, 2 very good ratings
Vocal Solos: 11 superior ratings, 3 excellent ratings,
Vocal Ensembles: 1 superior rating, 1 excellent rating
Upcoming Performances
There are several opportunities to listen to both the AWHS Band and Choirs perform. Below are just a few their upcoming performances, for a full list of events, please visit: www.anthonywayneschools.org/Arts
Tuesday, February 25 | 7:00 p.m.
AWHS Symphonic Winds & AWJH 8th Grade Band Concert
Auditorium
Thursday, February 27 | 7:00 p.m.
FTMS 6th Grade and AWJH 7th Grade Band Concert
Auditorium
Friday, March 7
OMEA Large Group Adjudication at Sylvania Southview High School
5:00 p.m. Concert Band, Gymnasium
7:40 p.m. Symphonic Band, Auditorium
9:40 p.m. Symphonic Winds, Auditorium