The District 8-4 Junior Festival of the Texas Federation of Music Clubs, in conjunction with the National Federation of Music Clubs, recently held its local competition at Howard Payne University. Of the 45 students from HPU’s Pre-College Music Program participating, 37 will advance to the state competition in San Marcos on May 21.

Students who will advance include James Bautista, piano; Hannah Bessent, voice; Andrew Boren, piano; Dakota Busby, piano; Angie Calfa, voice; Michelle Cabrera, piano; Becca Church, piano; Vic Cooper, piano; Christian Fijer, piano; Kirsten Fijer, voice; Alex Fowler, piano and voice; Raya Hakim, piano; Kyle Ivy, piano; Kamry Keese, piano and voice; Mary McIver, voice; Kylee Medina, piano; Addison Miller, piano and voice; Michael Morales, piano; Sydney Neel, voice; Aishwarya Nigalye, piano; Shayna Oliver, voice; Hannah Parson, piano; Sarah Reeves, piano and voice; Drew Reynolds, voice; Jordan Roberts, piano and voice; Natalie Rose, piano; Cate Smith, piano; Ava Sparks-Hansen, piano and voice; Sydney Stewart, piano; Carter Wheeless, piano; Trina Wheeless, piano; and Sam Woods, piano.

Other participants in the non-competitive category were Nathan Bull, Tony Calfa and Rawnie Hakim.

“Our congratulations go out to these students and their teachers for their accomplishments,” said Diane Owens, director of the Pre-College Music Program and adjunct faculty member in HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts. “We also send our best wishes to those who will compete at Texas State University in May.”

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