For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 18, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Oyster River High School Musician Earns National Recognition

DURHAM — Superintendent James Morse is pleased to share that William Kandle, a junior at Oyster River High School, was one of two New Hampshire students chosen to participate in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2019 All-National Honor Ensembles earlier this month.

The All-National Honor Ensembles took place from Nov. 7-10 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Students from throughout the United States, and overseas in military base schools, were selected to participate in the All-National Honor Ensemble through a competitive audition process.

“This is an incredible accomplishment, and William has worked tirelessly to become the talented young musician he is today,” said Oyster River High School Music Director Marc LaForce. “It’s wonderful to see his dedication to music is being recognized, and has introduced him to opportunities where he has been able to perform alongside peers equally as invested in music.”

Kandle took part in the Honors Guitar Ensemble, a group of 41 young guitarists who performed under the direction of Bill Swick, a renowned conductor. Well-known conductors at the event led each ensemble, including Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, Soo Han, Emily Threinen, Todd Stoll with Camille Thurman and Scott Burstein.

In addition to the Honors Guitar Ensemble, more than 500 students participated in ensembles including a concert band, symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, mixed choir and modern band.

For the past two years, Kandle, of Durham, has also earned first chair in the New Hampshire Music Educators’ Association (NHMEA) All State Guitar Ensemble. Throughout his high school career, he has also been a member of the Oyster River High School Studio Orchestra, where he has learned from Music Educators Marc LaForce, David Ervin and Andrea von Oeyen.

National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme). For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at [email protected] or 571-323-3395.

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