Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Sixteen string students enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's Music Preparatory Division were named to the Texas Music Educators Association Region 4 and 21 Middle School and High School All-Region Orchestras.

During the Oct. 21 auditions for high school orchestra, cellist Brandon Steele made first chair.

"The first chair placement indicates that of all the cellists in the region who auditioned for the orchestra, Brandon played the best," explained Evgeni Raychev, SFA instructor of music and cello instructor for the Music Preparatory Division.

In addition, six violin students of Jennifer Dalmas, SFA assistant professor of music, were assigned the following chairs: Parker Andrews, second; Morgan Cook, fourth; Lauren Callender, fifth; Katherine Russell, seventh; Dean Orlov, ninth; and Jessica Christian, 28th.

"So five of the top ten violin chairs in the region went to SFA prep students!" Dalmas exclaimed. "Also, Parker, Morgan and Dean are the only ninth graders in the top 10."

At the Nov. 3 auditions for the middle school orchestra, Payton Andrews and Tyler Vinther made third and fifth chairs, respectively, in the first violin section. Dalmas teaches both students.

Violin students of Brenda Josephson were assigned the following chairs in the first violin section: Jessica Skidmore, sixth; Miranda Kunk, ninth; Oksana Orlov, 11th and Gracie Milem, 14th. In the second violin section, Josephson's students Emma Nelson and Paige Fuselier made 3rd and 12th chairs, respectively.

Josephson's viola students Derek Christian and Sam Alders made third and 12th chairs, respectively.

Raychev's cello student Kelsey Kunk made fourth chair. Raychev also teaches privately in Tyler, and three of those students were placed as first, third and fifth chairs.

Also auditioning for the region orchestras were students from Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Marshall and Sulphur Springs.

The All-Region Orchestras will present concerts on Saturday, Jan. 28, in Tyler.

"We are extremely proud of the students and their teachers," said Pat Barnett, Music Preparatory Division director. "The students' placements speak to the strength of our program."

The Music Preparatory Division offers group and private lessons in Suzuki violin or viola for ages 3 and up and private instruction in traditional violin or viola for ages 7 and up. Private cello lessons are also available.

Middle and high school string students may also participate in the Piney Woods Youth Orchestra which was founded in 2004 by Raychev and Dalmas.

For information on the string program or any other musical instruction offered through the SFA Music Preparatory Division, e-mail Barnett at pbarnett@sfasu.edu or call her at (936) 468-1291.