On Saturday, March 20, the District 8-4 Junior Festival, in conjunction with the National Federation of Music Clubs, held its local competition at Howard Payne University.  Sixty students from the Pre-College Music Program at HPU participated.

Students earning a “Superior” rating in the Competitive Category at the local festival are entitled to advance to the State Competition in San Marcos on May 22.

Of the 60 students competing, 30 advanced to the state level including: Emily Beane, Olivia Blevins, Becca Church, Sarah Church, Abraham Cooper, Colbie Crow, Victoria Cuello, Emily Dick, Robert Dick, Laurel Edmondson, Melia Edmondson, Kylie Ellis, Devin Keese, Kamry Keese, Aubrey Lawrence, Jonathan Morales, Skylar Moore, Julia Nash, Judi Parten, Bailey Perry, Paul David Quillin, Jordan Roberts, Ashley Strong, Meredith Underwood, Trina Wheeless, David Woods, Joshua Woods, Sam Woods, and Maggie Yantis. Other participants in the competitive category were:  Audrey Boren, Athena Brindle, Vic Cooper, Hunter Day, Rayven Deray, Logan Dick, Jessica Harris, Robert Lynch, Collin Lyons, Jenna Lyons, David Morales, Madi Perry, Emma Grace Quillin and Cameron Smith.

Participants in the Non-Competitive Category were: Rachel Cannon, Conner Drew, Issac Lock, Sydney Neel, Kate Yantis and Kamille Jacobs.

HPU’s Pre-College Music program, under the direction of Diane Owens, is a part of the School of Music and Fine Arts.  The program offers Kindermusik classes to pre-school children, and lessons in all instruments and voice to school-aged children and adults.

For further information about the Federated Music Clubs or to inquire about the Pre-College Music Program at Howard Payne University, please contact Diane Owens at 325-649-8501 or by e-mail at dowens@hputx.edu.