CHS student will perform at national convention

A Camas High School student will soon be joining some of the top young musicians in the country to perform at a national convention.

Senior Lucas Abrahamsen, who plays percussion, was one of six students selected by the National Association for Music Educators to play in the All National Symphony Orchestra.

“Just having the opportunity to be with some of the best high school musicians in the country is a huge honor,” he said. “I was also the only percussionist selected from the Pacific Northwest. I’ve made state before, but this is quite a big deal.”

According to its website, the NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles represents the top performing high school musicians in the United States.

“It is a comprehensive, musical and educational experience,” the website states.

The ensembles will meet at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, under the direction of leaders in the field of music education. The symphony orchestra will be led by Dr. Paula Crider, Professor Emerita, at the University of Texas.

Abrahamsen, 17, has been practicing daily for months.

“I am usually a procrastinator, but this is definitely something I cannot do that with, or I will not be ready to play at the level needed for that conference,” he said.

As a percussionist, Abrahamsen plays several instruments, which can include drums, gongs, bells, cymbals, rattles, and tambourines. He began playing percussion in middle school.

Richard Mancini, CHS band director, noted that only one other CHS band student selected to play at the national level: Trumpet player Isaac Hodapp, who graduated in 2016, played in the All-National Honor Band.

“Lucas is a fine percussionist and a great student who has worked hard to earn this honor,” he said. “He has always excelled at playing mallet instruments like the marimba. Perhaps because he enjoys that aspect of percussion playing so much, he used to neglect his other drumming skills. I’m so proud of Lucas for the hard work he has put in to master the snare drum and timpani, and he has become an excellent all-around percussionist who deserves this high honor.”

Abrahamsen’s parents are Gary Abrahamsen and Satomi Sano of Camas.

Related Stories