(Photo provided) Tyler Consolidated Middle School band students, from left, Kaylee Cottrell, Michael Cooper and Emma Cooper have been chosen to be members of the 2024-25 West Virginia All-State Middle School Band.

Four local middle school students have been chosen to be a part of the 2024-25 West Virginia All-State Middle School Band.

New Martinsville School student and band member Alyssa Kelly has been chosen to represent NMS in the state band. Kelly, who was selected from more than 500 middle school students from across the state, plays the clarinet. Her band director at NMS is Mike Sutton.

And three Tyler Consolidated Middle School band students have been chosen to represent their school as well at the state level. They include Kaylee Cottrell, a flute player; Michael Cooper, a trombone player; and Emma Cooper, a saxophone player.

All the students will get to perform during the West Virginia Music Educators Association Conference in Charleston on March 6-8.

According to information from the association, “The annual WVMEA In-Service Conference is held at the Charleston Coliseum and Conference Center in the spring of each year. It encompasses every segment of the organization and has emerged as a major in-service activity for all teachers, as well as providing unique performance opportunities for gifted students.

“In addition to workshop sessions on all levels of music instruction from kindergarten through college, several inspiring concerts are held to spotlight the top honors performing organizations and students in the state.”

The purpose of the association is to “strengthen and advance the cause of music education throughout the Mountain State by providing in-service conferences, cooperating with other educational organizations in matters pertaining to music education, and disseminating information regarding current developments in music education.

“In addition, WVMEA provides leadership models in professional growth for teachers; serves as a clearing house for effective techniques, resources, materials, and common concems; and – most importantly – offers special opportunities for musical growth to school pupils.”