Mantua – Crestwood High School junior Alexis Wilson was one of 92 students selected from across Ohio to participate in the 2020 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All State Ensemble last week. The OMEA’s mission is to promote music education in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities. As such, the students who were selected had the opportunity to perform on the last day of the OMEA conference, highlighting three days of intensive rehearsals together. “This is really an honor to be selected,” explained Wendy Wilson, Alexis’ mother. “All the kids are top tier musicians.”
According to the OMEA, the selection process began last May with submission of audition recordings. From a multitude of applicants from around the State, student musicians were selected to join the All State Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble or Choir for the opportunity to rehearse and perform at the OMEA Professional Development Conference at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati last week. Participation in this program is highly selective and represents a substantial achievement and honor.
Although any student musician can submit an application, only a select few are invited to attend and perform. Alexis is the only Crestwood student in recent memory to earn that honor. She was selected as the principal oboist in the All State Band — one of only 92 students from across the State to be selected to participate in the All Star Band this year. The All State Band was guest-conducted by Mark Scatterday, Professor of Conducting and Chair of the Conducting and Ensembles Department at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. Since his appointment, Scatterday has led the Eastman Wind Ensemble (EWE) on tour to Japan, Taiwan, and China and conducted the EWE in highly acclaimed performances at Carnegie Hall, Canadian National Musicfest, and the Midwest Clinic. He has led the Eastman Harmonie on a highly acclaimed tour of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Last summer, Alexis participated in the prestigious Interlochen Oboe Institute for a week of intensive instruction, then stayed on for another six weeks at Interlochen Orchestra Camp. “That was an amazing experience, noted her mom. “She auditioned and was accepted to that camp, which is also very exclusive. She also earned a Merit Scholarship!” While at the specialized camp, Alexis played in the World Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and in a Woodwind Quartet. She’s been accepted to the Summer 2020 program based on last year’s performances, but is also auditioning for other summer programs around the country. Only time will tell where this talented musician’s skills will lead her.
While her love of music began at Crestwood High School, this gifted young woman has been a part of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra in Cleveland for two years and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra for one year. She has also performed in the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra for two years and the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony for a year. According to her proud mom, Wendy, “It’s impossible due to rehearsal and concert schedules to do all the groups, though she really loves them all.”
She continues to be active in the Crestwood High School Band and Orchestra, as well. “We have a new band director this year, and she’s very supportive of all the kids,” Wendy shared. “At school, she explained how Alexis was chosen to be principal oboist in the All State Band and how special that was. She also took the opportunity to have Alexis and two other students who play in different outside youth groups to share their experiences with the rest of the music students, to encourage them to consider seeking out these experiences.” With knowledge and access to wonderful music opportunities, there’s no limit to what Alexis and other talented, hard-working student musicians can achieve.
