2025 HS County Band Festival participating students, listed left to right. Back: Eva Spina, Clarise Saunders, Alistair Shea, Taylor Griffith, Amanda Stultzfos. Front: Lillian Newman, Caroline Welch, Madeline Talley, Liam Quan. Photo Credit: @conestogavalleymusic
By Isa Bartelt ‘26
Conestoga Valley High School’s musicians have potential. They have opportunities to grow their talents and abilities. Through my experience as a musician at CVHS, I have taken many opportunities to grow.
One opportunity that people can use is honors festivals. Many colleges offer honors band festivals in our area. Students at CVHS in the past have gone to Susquehanna University and Lebanon Valley College to participate. All a student has to do is fill out an application or inform their director. These festivals offer the opportunity to work with world-class directors and high-caliber musicians of the same age group.
Having participated in a total of 5 festivals over 4 years, I have noticed the growth they have given me. Working with musicians who are striving to grow puts a student in the right environment to thrive in their ability.
Honors festivals are also an opportunity to work with college professors and directors to gain a better understanding and insight into how a student could improve as a musician.
Another way that students can improve is to participate in and prepare for district auditions. District auditions involve the preparation of challenging, high-level music that helps you grow.
As someone who has prepared for an audition twice and auditioned once, I see how much the preparation of the music has grown my musical talent and ability. The participation in this audition process pushes a musician to advance to a new level and become not only a better musician, but a better person.
A musician can also participate in extracurricular activities, such as marching band, out-of-school choir ensembles, and musical pit, among others. These opportunities allow a musician to grow in a small group along with other musicians with the same passion.
Since my freshman year, I have participated in marching band, and it has helped me grow as a musician. I was not able to play my flute how it was meant to be played when I finished middle school, but marching band changed that. Marching band also gives a student a family and a place to feel at home.
One last way that students can improve is to use lessons; many band teachers and older students are willing to give other musicians lessons. Lessons are a way to improve one-on-one and give a sense of confidence in the playing ability of the student.
Musicians at Conestoga Valley have so many resources at their disposal. If they just took advantage of the opportunities placed before them, they would grow exponentially.
How to Make Yourself a Better Musician
By Isa Bartelt ‘26
Conestoga Valley High School’s musicians have potential. They have opportunities to grow their talents and abilities. Through my experience as a musician at CVHS, I have taken many opportunities to grow.
One opportunity that people can use is honors festivals. Many colleges offer honors band festivals in our area. Students at CVHS in the past have gone to Susquehanna University and Lebanon Valley College to participate. All a student has to do is fill out an application or inform their director. These festivals offer the opportunity to work with world-class directors and high-caliber musicians of the same age group.
Having participated in a total of 5 festivals over 4 years, I have noticed the growth they have given me. Working with musicians who are striving to grow puts a student in the right environment to thrive in their ability.
Honors festivals are also an opportunity to work with college professors and directors to gain a better understanding and insight into how a student could improve as a musician.
Another way that students can improve is to participate in and prepare for district auditions. District auditions involve the preparation of challenging, high-level music that helps you grow.
As someone who has prepared for an audition twice and auditioned once, I see how much the preparation of the music has grown my musical talent and ability. The participation in this audition process pushes a musician to advance to a new level and become not only a better musician, but a better person.
A musician can also participate in extracurricular activities, such as marching band, out-of-school choir ensembles, and musical pit, among others. These opportunities allow a musician to grow in a small group along with other musicians with the same passion.
Since my freshman year, I have participated in marching band, and it has helped me grow as a musician. I was not able to play my flute how it was meant to be played when I finished middle school, but marching band changed that. Marching band also gives a student a family and a place to feel at home.
One last way that students can improve is to use lessons; many band teachers and older students are willing to give other musicians lessons. Lessons are a way to improve one-on-one and give a sense of confidence in the playing ability of the student.
Musicians at Conestoga Valley have so many resources at their disposal. If they just took advantage of the opportunities placed before them, they would grow exponentially.