PWHS senior Tilly McLaughlin to perform in All-State Concert Band

Congratulations and good luck to Plymouth Whitemarsh High School senior Tilly McLaughlin who earned a spot in the Pennsylvania All-State Concert Band.

McLaughlin won the first chair bass clarinet position through auditions for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Region 6 Band Concert held at Downingtown West High School on February 24. Dr. Gary Gilroy, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at California State University, Fresno, conducted the challenging program that included Auguries of Innocence by WIlliam Pitts and Diametric Grooves by Gary Gilroy.  McLaughlin played a short solo on Lux Perpetua by Frank Ticheli.  

"Working with Dr. Gilroy was eye-opening because he's the most acclaimed conductor that I've worked with," said McLaughlin "Even though the music was challenging, it felt good to perform surrounded by great musicians with high levels of musicianship." 

Her placement at the regional festival qualifies McLaughlin to be a member of the Pennsylvania All-State Concert Band held in Erie in April.

"I look forward to exposure to more styles of music, another great conductor and, meeting musicians from across the state, to networking for college and my future career, and to performing with my PW friends in the Clarinet Choir," said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin is a student leader of the Plymouth Whitemarsh Clarinet Choir that was also selected to perform at the PMEA State Conference that simultaneously occurs with state band. The PWHS senior is an active member of the Plymouth Whitemarsh Music Department having served as the Marching Colonials Drum Major, a choir section leader, an instrument manager, and a concert band soloist.

She plans to pursue music education in college and aspires to be a high school band director.