Student Accepted Into Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band
Published 05.06.2013
News
Nursing & Health Sciences
Physician Assistant
Student News
Flutist Jessica L. Gower recently became Pennsylvania College of Technology’s first participant in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival.
The 66th annual festival was held over three days at Mansfield University, concluding March 17 with a concert conducted by Lt. Col. Alan Bonner, retired commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band.
Gower, of Williamsport, a sophomore in Penn College’s physician assistant major, has played the flute since fourth grade (11 years), piccolo for seven years and alto flute for two years.
In the fall, she applied for a seat in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band and was selected to join 12 other flute players from across the state, 10 of whom are studying music at their respective colleges.
“It was a great experience to play with college-level musicians,” Gower said.
While Penn College does not offer a program in music, Gower was recruited to play in neighboring Lycoming College’s flute choir by Lycoming faculty member William Ciabbatari, who also directs the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra. Gower has performed with the youth orchestra for three years.
The three-day festival began March 15 with a nine-hour day of rehearsals and auditions for chair placement. Gower placed third in the flute section.
The following day, the musicians practiced from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the festival’s final day included morning rehearsal before a 2:30 p.m. concluding concert.
“This is the best group of musicians I have ever played with; I would like to return next year,” Gower said.
Among her other musical honors, while she was a student in the Loyalsock Township School District, Gower received the Outstanding Musician Award in her freshman through senior years, earned the Patrick S. Gilmore Award in her senior year, played in Jazz Band for four years, was selected twice each for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s district band and regional band, and was selected three times for the Lycoming County Band Directors Association’s Honors Band.
To learn more about the physician assistant major at Penn College, call 570-327-4519 or visit the School of Health Sciences.
For more about the college, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
The 66th annual festival was held over three days at Mansfield University, concluding March 17 with a concert conducted by Lt. Col. Alan Bonner, retired commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band.
Gower, of Williamsport, a sophomore in Penn College’s physician assistant major, has played the flute since fourth grade (11 years), piccolo for seven years and alto flute for two years.
In the fall, she applied for a seat in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band and was selected to join 12 other flute players from across the state, 10 of whom are studying music at their respective colleges.
“It was a great experience to play with college-level musicians,” Gower said.
While Penn College does not offer a program in music, Gower was recruited to play in neighboring Lycoming College’s flute choir by Lycoming faculty member William Ciabbatari, who also directs the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra. Gower has performed with the youth orchestra for three years.
The three-day festival began March 15 with a nine-hour day of rehearsals and auditions for chair placement. Gower placed third in the flute section.
The following day, the musicians practiced from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the festival’s final day included morning rehearsal before a 2:30 p.m. concluding concert.
“This is the best group of musicians I have ever played with; I would like to return next year,” Gower said.
Among her other musical honors, while she was a student in the Loyalsock Township School District, Gower received the Outstanding Musician Award in her freshman through senior years, earned the Patrick S. Gilmore Award in her senior year, played in Jazz Band for four years, was selected twice each for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s district band and regional band, and was selected three times for the Lycoming County Band Directors Association’s Honors Band.
To learn more about the physician assistant major at Penn College, call 570-327-4519 or visit the School of Health Sciences.
For more about the college, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.