Student Plays Way to Top Prize
Freshman Wesley Shin competed in the PPS district “Solo & Ensemble” festival on March 9, during which he played Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in Eb Major (Op. 74) by CM von Weber.
Shin is a member of the school band and PYP (Portland Youth Philharmonic), a city-wide audition-only group open to top juvenile musicians. Although he is only a freshman, he is already the top player in Lincoln band, and the fourth best clarinet player in the entire PYP program, which has three separate groups.
Shin did not expect the results to be this good, especially since this is his first year competing. “The hardest part in competition is controlling my nerves,” Shin said. Despite his nervous feelings, Shin won the district title and will be competing at the state competition on May 3.
“I am very excited about going to State,” Shin said. “Being in PYP for six years now, I know many clarinetists. We are competitors, but we are also good friends. I want to go there and do my best, but I also want to support my fellow musicians.”
