2023: Claire Heller, Clarinet

Claire Heller, a senior at Boiling Springs High School, plays clarinet and saxophone and performs in the Boiling Springs High School Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band.

Claire started playing the saxophone in fourth grade. At the suggestion of her Band Director, Mr. Dave Yinger, she also started lessons on the clarinet when she was in fifth grade. Claire took lessons from David Godshall from fifth grade until ninth grade. In her junior year, after achieving membership, through competitive audition, in District and Regional bands, Claire was selected to participate in the clarinet section of the PMEA State Band Festival. Earlier this month, she participated in the NAfME All-Eastern Symphonic Band in Rochester, New York. Claire will attend PennWest Edinboro University this fall to double major in Aeronautical Science and Art Therapy to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. She hopes to continue playing in college ensembles.

2019: Andy Hankes, Flute

Andy Hankes, a junior at Carlisle Area High School, plays flute and saxophone.  He performs in Carlisle’s Symphonic Band, Concert Band, the Musical’s Pit Band, and in both the Galaxies and Sunrise jazz bands.  Andy is also Drum Major of the high school’s Thundering Herd Marching Band. Andy’s primary instrument is the flute.  He learned to play flute in fourth grade and began studying with Mrs. Jocelyn Goranson, Messiah College flute professor, in sixth grade.   In his sophomore year, Andy was seated third in the flute section at the PMEA Regional Band Festival. He performs with the Dickinson College Orchestra as Principal Flutist, and he is also the Co-Principal of the Flute Section in the Harrisburg Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Andy has participated in Susquehanna University’s Wind Ensemble Institute and in Oberlin College’s Summer Flute Academy with Flute Professor Alexa Still.  He enjoys playing with local ensembles including the Cumberland Flutes flute choir and the Carlisle Town Band.  

2018: Brandon Mooney, Tuba

Brandon Mooney is currently a senior at Big Spring High School where he participates in the high school marching band, concert band, pit orchestra, and both jazz bands. He began his instrumental music participation as a trumpet player and switched to tuba in the 7th grade. Brandon currently studies tuba with Eric Henry and Justin Myers, two phenomenal tuba players who teach at the local collegiate level as well as perform in the Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, York, and Lancaster areas. As a sophomore, Brandon achieved membership, through competitive audition, in the PMEA District 7 Concert Band. His junior year in high school included membership in the PMEA District 7 Concert Band, PMEA Region V Concert Band, and the PMEA All-State Wind Ensemble.

Brandon’s senior year has been no exception to musical achievements as he was again selected, through competitive audition, for membership in the PMEA District Band, Regional Band, and the All-State Concert Band, which performed at the PMEA State Conference in Lancaster last Saturday, April 21. He credits his high school band director, Mr. Adam Nobile, with being a great mentor for him during his high school years. In the fall, Brandon plans to attend Messiah College as a music education major with future ambitions of becoming a high school instrumental music educator. Brandon hopes to be an inspiration to his students like he has been inspired by his music teachers.  

2016: Fred Griggs, Drum Set

Fred is a drummer from Central Pennsylvania. A fan of the drums his whole life, he began his formal study when he was seven years old. By age thirteen, Fred had fallen in love with jazz. Through his wonderful teachers (Paul Gallello, Dave Lazorcik and Sherrie Maricle) Fred has matured and developed into an “In-Demand” musician. Fred’s talents have landed him gigs with local musicians such as Steve Rudolph, Steve Meashey, Andy Roberts and many others. In addition to playing in the Central Pennsylvania area, Fred has been able to perform at various venues across the country. In February 2013, Fred was selected to perform with the Grammy in the School’s Grammy Camp Jazz Session, a jazz band comprised of the country’s finest high school musicians. This group performed at various Grammy sponsored events throughout the week leading up to the Grammy Awards and had the opportunity to record an album at the famed Capitol Recording Studios. As part of the program, Fred also had the pleasure and privilege of playing with the trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval. In addition to participating with the Grammy Camp-Jazz Session, Fred has made other honors ensembles including the PMEA All-State Jazz Band and the New York Youth Symphony Jazz Ensemble. As part of the New York Youth Symphony program, Fred had the opportunity to rehearse and perform with guest artists such as John Fedchock, Terell Stafford and Stefon Harris. Along with performing, Fred served as a student representative on the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Board of Directors where he worked on jazz education programs and various other outreach initiatives. Fred is also involved in teaching drums privately and through various outreach programs. Fred is currently attending the Manhattan School of Music on a full tuition scholarship, where he is studying with John Riley and Rogerio Boccato.

2016: Herman Makosky, Trumpet

Herman Makosky is in the eleventh grade at Carlisle High School.  He began playing trumpet in fourth grade under the capable direction of Mr. Byron Mikesell, the present band director at Carlisle High School.  Herman is currently a trumpet student of Phil Snedecor, principal trumpet player for the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and co-founder of the Washington Symphonic Brass.  Herman is active with several school music ensembles including the Carlisle High School Symphonic Band, Galaxies Jazz Band, and Chamber Singers.  He has successfully auditioned for the PMEA District Band since 7th grade and has played in both the All-State Concert Band and Orchestra.  He is a member of the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra, sitting as principal trumpet.  For his Boy Scout Eagle Service project, Herman organized a chamber ensemble program for strings, woodwinds, and brass, performing for at risk youth as well as the general public throughout the Harrisburg area.  Last year, Herman was selected to play in the semi-finals of the National Trumpet Competition.  At this time, Herman hopes to pursue a career in music and is beginning the process of selecting colleges where he plans to continue his trumpet studies and become educated in the sciences and humanities.