Dan Wolfe and Corinne “Coco” Heitmann have been accepted into the prestigious All-Eastern Mixed Choir Honors Ensemble. They are two of only four students accepted from this region of New York State. Only three students from Owego Free Academy (OFA) have previously received this honor.
Wolfe and Heitmann were slated to perform with the All-Eastern Mixed Choir Honors Ensemble beginning Thursday, continuing through this weekend in Providence, Rhode Island.
“This is a huge honor,” said Megan Armenio, Owego Apalachin choral director, and teacher for the two OFA students. “It’s hard to put into words the musical talent both Dan and Coco have, in addition to the positive influence they have in the classroom every day.”
All-Eastern Honor Ensembles are comprised of high school musicians from all along the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, said Armenio.
“This year 850 students were accepted into the mixed chorus, treble chorus, symphonic band, symphonic orchestra and jazz ensemble,” she added.
Students eligible for All-Eastern must be accepted into their areas’ All-State ensembles. They must then apply for All-Eastern.
“Both Dan and Coco are extremely well rounded students at OFA,” said Armenio. “Their successes are numerous and are not limited to their musical talents. They are both excellent athletes, they are academic high achievers, and they are role models for their peers at OFA.”
In 25 years, only three other OFA students have been accepted into All-Eastern Honors Ensembles. They are Sterling Payne (2011, orchestra/percussion); Martha Wolfe and Lauren Dewey-Wright (2013, mixed chorus).
“What more can be said about these two students?” added Armenio. “It has been a pleasure and honor to have them as my students.”
