Arts & Entertainment

Four Novi Student Musicians To Be Featured at Michigan Youth Arts Festival

The students have been named distinguished scholars by the organization.

—Submitted by Michigan Youth Arts

Brenna Cameron, Anthony Pan, Michael Pasquale and Justin Zak of have been named as Michigan Youth Arts Distinguished Scholars and are invited to participate in the 50th annual Michigan Youth Arts Festival, May 10-12 in Kalamazoo. The four outstanding young musicians play French horn in the Novi High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mark Hourgan.

The quartet performed Bach's "Fugue in C Minor," which highlights intricate interplay among four horns, at the Michigan State Solo & Ensemble Festival in March. They received a first division rating and adjudicator nomination, qualifying them to apply for Michigan Youth Arts Festival. They then had to produce a recording of their entry to audition for the featured ensemble position during the festival concerts. On April 20, they learned of being awarded the coveted spot on the Festival agenda. 

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“We were all so excited! I screamed when I heard the news,” said Brenna Cameron.

Selection for participation in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival is one of the most prestigious honors in the arts education community. The students, chosen from more than 250,000 across the state, are selected based solely on their artistic merit.

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“It’s an outstanding group of students with real dedication and a commitment to artistic excellence,” said Michigan Youth Arts Executive Director, Kim Dabbs, in a press release. “The Distinguished Scholars embody creativity and innovation, and are ideal ambassadors for the Michigan arts education community.”


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