The Ottumwa Community School District is proud to announce the selection of 20 talented students for the prestigious Southeast Iowa String Teachers Association (SEISTA) Honor Orchestra Festival. This marks a significant milestone in the district’s expanding 5-12 orchestra program. The festival will take place in Bettendorf on Saturday, January 18, 2025, and features top student musicians from districts across Southeast Iowa.
The SEISTA Honor Orchestra Festival provides students a unique opportunity to refine their musical talents, audition for chair placement, and perform alongside peers from neighboring districts, including Bettendorf, Davenport, Iowa City, and more. Following auditions and a full day of rehearsals, the students will showcase their work in a final concert.
Participation in SEISTA is also a stepping stone to the Iowa String Teachers Association (ISTA) Honor Orchestra Festival in May, where students compete for further honors and perform at the state level.
“This is a great achievement and a step forward in our history as a 5-12 orchestra program,” said Henry Weberpal, Orchestra Director for Ottumwa High School. “When I began teaching here, we had just two students selected district-wide. Nine years later, we’ve grown to 20—10 times that number.”
Selected Students:
Ottumwa High School (High School Orchestra Ensemble)
Logan Elliott, Cello
Henry Garcia, Violin
Tyler Lowenberg, Violin
Kaelin McElderry, Violin
Tamsin McElderry, Violin
EmmaJean Sherwood, Viola
Luke Sprau, Viola
Dennis Yan, Violin
Evans Junior High (Middle School Orchestra Ensemble)
Veronica Blaine, Double Bass (High School Ensemble category)
Maiya Barnes, Cello
Adam Batres, Viola
Ava Jordan, Double Bass
Emelin Lopez-Hernandez, Violin
Liberty Intermediate School (Cadet Orchestra Ensemble)
Constanza Alarcon Hernandez, Violin
April Cochran, Viola
Jayme Ferguson, Violin
Marie Henderson, Violin
Praise Jetnil, Violin
Rauha Saaranen, Violin
Charles Smith, Cello
This honor is a recognition of individual talent and a reflection of Ottumwa Schools’ commitment to nurturing a thriving fine arts program. These students represent the district’s dedication to excellence, as they prepare to shine on both district and state stages.
