For the first time in several years, a student will be representing Port Byron Central School District at the area all-state music festival.

Port Byron senior clarinetist Morgan Brown has been selected to participate in the Zone 3 Area All-State Music Festival at Ithaca College on February 3-4. She will perform with the concert band.

Upon learning of her acceptance to the festival Brown said, “I was so excited!”

“Representing Port Byron means a lot because we are such a small school, and clarinet and flute are such popular instruments. There were so many submissions, so it was way harder to get in,” she said.

Brown said she is interested in pursuing a career in music education and will soon begin the process of submitting auditions for colleges.

“If I can do all-state, I can do those as well,” she said.

Dana West Junior-Senior High School Band Director James Bearup said he is extremely proud of Brown for all her hard work.

“It is a great honor, as it means she is one of the top clarinet players in this as well as the surrounding counties (Cayuga, Onondaga, Cortland, and maybe Oswego, Tioga, and Broom). For the entire festival, there are 15-20 clarinet players selected and she is one of them,” he said.

Principal Kim Brown echoed those sentiments.

“We are extremely proud of Morgan and the due recognition she has received regarding her musical gifts. We know she will represent Port Byron well,” he said.

 Similarly, Superintendent Mike Jorgensen said he is thrilled to have Brown represent Port Byron at the state-wide level.

“I was not surprised to hear she is one of the top clarinet players in the area. We are very proud of her and her accomplishments.”

Brown wished to thank her family, friends, and Mr. Bearup for their support over the years.

The Area All-State Music Festival is held annually by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) for high school band, orchestra, and choral students, giving them the opportunity to participate in advanced ensembles outside of their high schools. 

To be chosen to participate is a great honor and musicians go through a rigorous selection process which includes solo performances and teacher recommendations.