Schools

Phoenixville Area High School Musician Earns National Honor

Anna Thompson becomes the first-ever PAHS student to be invited to play with a very select group of musicians.

A Phoenixville Area High School musician is the first-ever from PAHS to earn a place in one of the most prestigious student band in the nation.

Anna Thompson will be the first student from Phoenixville Area High School to be a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Concert Band when she joins 670 musically talented students from across the country for four days in Nashville at the Association's annual convention.  the conference ends with a gala concert on October 30th at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel featuring the best high school instrumentalists and vocalists in the nation.

Being selected for the band is a grueling process requiring practice, talent, and dedication.

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According to a press release from the PASD,  Anna began playing the flute 9 years ago in elementary band.  Shortly after she started, her band instructor recommended she take private lessons.  Dr. Emily Newbold, a retired flute professor at West Chester University became Anna’s teacher and mentor.  “I wouldn’t be playing at the level I am today without her support and guidance,” said Anna.

As a high school senior, Anna is also busy preparing  for her college auditions.  She plans to major in flute performance, with the goal of eventually playing with a professional orchestra.  “The London Symphony would be my dream job,” she shared.  It just so happens they have an opening right now, but that might be pushing it a bit."

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In the meantime, she'll spend four days in Nashville next month playing with the most talented student musicians in the United States.



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