The Georgia Music Educators Association proudly present the Inaugural GMEA 11-12 All-State Percussion Ensemble under the direction of world renowned clinician, recitalist, and educator, She-e Wu.
The student members are listed in alphabetical order:
Spencer Boyum (Statesboro High School)
Noah Burgess (McIntosh High School)
Henry Campbell (Winder-Barrow High School)
Xavier Evans (West Forsyth High School)
Luke Ferguson (Kennesaw Mountain High School)
Joshua Franklin (Ringgold High School)
Thomas Huff (Winder-Barrow High School)
Zachary Johnson (West Forsyth H.S.)
Jordan Katz (Norcross High School)
Ethan Kong (Lambert High School)
Gavin Lee (Jackson County High School)
Cole Martin (Milton High School)
Rachel Martin (Academy for Classical Education)
Jihwan Park (East Coweta High School)
Grayson Pruitt (Kell High School)
Shirin Sathe (Lambert High School)
Gus Weed (Jackson County High School)
Joshua Wingard (Ridgeland High School)
About the Piece (From the composer)
In March 2020, the world changed within a matter of days. The following post was sent out through social media:
Percussion community,
We're stuck at home. There's uncertainty and anxiety in our lives. Let's turn to music and play something together. Here's a piece for us, for right now, to help: “Together" for social-distanced marimba choir. If you have safe access to a marimba or vibe or even a piano, record and send me a video of your part. I'II put everything together and make a "virtual marimba choir" with everyone's contributions. Please get your videos to me by one week from now. The resulting collaborative video project included one hundred and eleven musicians representing five countries.
Together was composed for in-person and socially-distanced musicians. I hope the piece continues to bring together musicians around the world as a means of expression and unity.
-M.M.
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A sincere thank you to guest conductor, She-e Wu, for coming down and working with these students. You are incredible!
2023 GMEA Personnel
Dr. Matt Koperniak - President
Sarah Ball - Vice President for All-State Events
Travis Downs - Band Division Chair
Mike Lynch & Kevin Kenney - Organizers
Special thanks to Johnathan Ancell, Carson Lee, Matt Tinnell, Nick Tucker, Aaron Savage, & Todd Wilson for coordinating all of the percussion equipment for the ensemble.