Santarsiero Presents Citations to Pennsbury Musicians

State Rep. Steve Santarsiero presented citations this week to Ryan McHenry, David Simon, John Wagner and Jessica Voutsinas for making the 2013 National In-Service Conference of the National Association for Music Education’s All-American Band and Choir.

Santarsiero, D-Bucks, said the teens bring great credit to their communities and families while exemplifying the spirit and talent to become world-class musicians.

McHenry, a percussionist, Simon, who plays clarinet, and Wagner, a trumpet player, represented Pennsbury High School in Nashville, Tenn., last month at a national ensemble showcasing 150 of the best student musicians in the All-American Band.

“David, Ryan and John successfully auditioned with the best students from Bucks and Montgomery counties,” said Frank Mazzeo, Instrumental Music Coordinator and Director of Bands for Pennsbury.  “They then qualified for an ensemble from students made up of Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Philadelphia, and Chester counties. A third level of auditions placed these students with the best musicians in the state of Pennsylvania. A final recommendation to the All-National Ensemble from the Pennsylvania All-State festival had these students going to Nashville.”

Voutsinas, an alto from Council Rock North High School, also performed in Nashville for the showcase and was named to the All-American Choir. 

All five were selected after multiple national auditions. In the end, some 670 students made the cut.