Nearly a dozen Edmonds School District student musicians will join others across Washington who will participate in one of the 2021 WMEA All-State and All-Northwest performing groups.

These WMEA All-State musicians were selected through auditions to participate in the event, which is sponsored by the Washington Music Educators Association.

“We had far fewer students audition this year than normal, but it’s great to see these outstanding students recognized,” said Scott Barnes, the district’s manager of visual and performing arts.

Meadowdale High School bassoon player Charlotte Appel was among the 11 students selected to participate. The others were from Edmonds-Woodway High School and Brier Terrace Middle School.

According to Meadowdale High Band Director Robert Rutherford, Appel is an exemplary musician.

“She’s worked diligently against enormous odds to reach this point in her musical career, and will certainly continue to grow as she reaches for new and exciting opportunities like this one,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of her, and look forward to cheering her on at this event.”

Many professional musicians have credited their All-State experience as crucial in their decision to pursue music as a career. Well-known Washingtonians who have participated in past years’ WMEA All-State groups include Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist David Horsey, 2008 National Teacher of the Year Andrea Peterson, and jazz saxophonist Kenny G.

Below are all of the students who were selected for 2021 All-Northwest, or 2021 All-State or Junior All-State Honor groups:

–By Cody Sexton