MMI Preparatory School’s Head of School, Mrs. Theresa Long, and Hazleton Area School District’s Superintendent, Dr. Brian Uplinger, are proud to announce that the schools will be jointly hosting the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Region IV Band Festival next week. There are 156 students from 55 schools in NEPA and Central PA (PMEA Districts 8 & 9) who qualified to participate in the three-day event.
Representing MMI will be Christina Chrin ’27 (Clarinet I) and Eliza Garcia ’27 (Saxophone II). Students representing Hazleton Area include Jocelyn Rivera Bautista ’27 (Trombone III), Sophie Bolitsky ’26 (Cornet III), Camden Calarco ’26 (Cornet III), Isabella Collado ’28 (Clarinet II), Iris Culley ’28 (Flute II), Gisselle Pena ’27 (Flute I), and Jazlyn Searfoss ’26 (Clarinet III).
The festival will be led by guest conductor Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft, widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and influential voices in music education today. A nationally and internationally sought-after conductor, clinician, and speaker, Dr. Boonshaft has appeared in every U.S. state and across the globe, guest conducting prestigious ensembles including NAfME national and divisional honor bands, the Goldman Memorial Band, and U.S. Marine Corps ensembles. He is the first recipient of the George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education and currently serves as Director of Education for Jupiter Band Instruments. Professor Emeritus of Music at Hofstra University, he is also the author of several best-selling books on music education, including Teaching Music with Passion and Teaching Music Each Day Inspired, and co-author of the widely used Sound Innovations method series. His distinguished career reflects a lifelong commitment to inspiring students and empowering music educators worldwide.
The first two days of the festival will be hosted at MMI and are dedicated to auditions and rehearsals for performers. On Wednesday, March 11, from 5:00-9:00 pm, auditions will be held to determine which of the 156 students will advance to the PMEA All-State Band Festival, which will be held at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center on April 23-25. On Thursday, March 12, students and directors will begin rehearsing and will spend the entirety of the day at MMI (9:00 am-9:00 pm). On Friday, March 13, the event shifts to Hazleton Area High School for daytime rehearsals beginning at 9:00 am and culminating in a public concert at 6:30 pm in the High School Auditorium. Admission to the evening concert is $6.
The hosts of the event are MMI Music Director Ms. Jennifer Gerhard, who is also the PMEA Advocacy Chair for District 9, and Mrs. Helen Rettger, Band Director at Hazleton Area High School.
Mrs. Theresa Long, Head of School at MMI Preparatory School, reflected on the collaborative spirit of the event. “Music brings connection and meaning to a School community, and festivals like this give students the opportunity to discover confidence, belonging, and artistic growth,” said Mrs. Long. “Working together with the Hazleton Area School District demonstrates our shared commitment to music education and to creating experiences that shape students both onstage and far beyond the final performance.”
Hazleton Area School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Uplinger added, “Music education is a vital part of a well-rounded education, fostering creativity, discipline, and collaboration.” “We are honored to partner with MMI Preparatory School to host the PMEA Region IV Band Festival and to celebrate the dedication and talent of young musicians from across our region,” said Dr. Uplinger.
PMEA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting musical development across the Commonwealth. Its band, chorus, and orchestra festivals at the district, regional, and all-state levels are conducted annually to promote the organization’s goal of furthering music education and encouraging the development of music programs in schools. PMEA members who are the directors of bands, choruses, or orchestras in their schools have the privilege of sponsoring students from their organization to participate in these events.