Canfield junior named to all-state orchestra

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Neighbors | Submitted.Alicia Smith, a junior at Canfield High School, was chosen as a member of the 2011 All-State Orchestra..Smith performed as an oboist at the Ohio Music Education Association’s Professional Development Conference Jan. 28 in Cincinnati.

Alicia Smith is a three-year member of the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra, a four-year member of the Stambaugh Youth Concert Band, a three-year member of the Cardinal Pride Marching Band and a three-year member of the Canfield High School Symphonic band, where she has earned principal chair all three years.

With all these accomplishments, Smith, a junior at Canfield High School, may have achieved her highest accomplishment yet. She was chosen as a member of the 2011 All-State Orchestra.

Smith was able to perform as an oboist at the Ohio Music Education Association’s Professional Development Conference Jan. 28 in Cincinnati.

In order to be considered for this honor, Smith recorded her version of the Saint Saens Sonate. She, along with help from her band director Michael Kelly, sent in her recording last May. In September, she got her letter of acceptance. Nearly 1,000 students from all over the state submitted audition recordings for All-State Ensembles and the audition process was very competitive for all sections. Only three oboe players were chosen.

”I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity, and I know I would have never have gotten this far without the help of my wonderful teachers and the support from my parents,” said Smith.

She has been playing the oboe since she was in fifth grade at Canfield Village Middle School. She studied privately with Katherine Dick at the Music Gallery in Canfield for more than seven years.

In addition to the oboe, Smith takes reed making lessons, private English horn lessons and alto saxophone lessons. Smith is the daughter of Ray and Christine Smith of Canfield.

She has performed with the Salem Community Band, the Canfield Community Band and the pit orchestra at the New Castle Playhouse.