The music programs at Ladue Middle School are striking all the right notes this fall! Orchestra and band students recently earned top honors after competing in the highly selective All-Suburban Middle School Honors Orchestra and MMEA District 5 All-Suburban Middle School Honor Bands auditions.

These auditions, which drew hundreds of talented middle school musicians from across the region, required students to perform anonymous auditions—a process that ensures placement is based solely on musicianship and performance ability. The results highlight the dedication, preparation, and excellence of Ladue’s young musicians.

All-Suburban Middle School Honors Orchestra

Out of more than 200 students who auditioned, the following LMS students earned their spots and will perform in a special concert at Ladue Horton Watkins High School on Saturday, January 10, at 3 p.m.

Violin 1

• Talia Shifren (8th chair)

Violin 2

• Noah Van Vrancken (7th chair)
• Felix Hong (8th chair)

Viola

• Claire Chen (1st chair)
• Xinyi (Dora) Yu (3rd chair)
• Srihan Gandra (Alternate)

Cello

• Benjamin Tsai (9th chair)

Double Bass

• Easton Henry (Alternate)

All-Suburban Honor Concert Band

More than 640 middle school musicians auditioned for this year’s Honor Concert and Jazz Bands, making it one of the most competitive events in the region.

• Lisa Shen, Flute (5th chair)
• Darla Chatman, Bassoon (2nd chair)
• Albert Shi, Clarinet (3rd chair)
• Angela Wang, Clarinet (8th chair)
• Emmanuel Chatman, Clarinet (11th chair)
• Emma Wu, Clarinet (16th chair)
• Ian Drescher, Clarinet (19th chair)
• Arjun Jain, Percussion (7th chair)

All-Suburban Honor Jazz Band

• Matthew Zhang, Trombone (3rd chair)
• Oishi Dasgupta, Guitar

These students will perform at Lindbergh High School on Sunday, January 11, with the Jazz Band at 2 p.m. and the Concert Band at 3:30 p.m.

The district extends its congratulations to all the talented Ladue Middle School musicians for earning these impressive honors, as well as to the dedicated band and orchestra faculty — Sarah Heuermann, Charles Clements, Xinyi Lu, Jessica Sacks, James Hahn, Aaron Lehde, Erin Elstner, and Lucas Alberts — for their outstanding guidance and support. Their commitment to musical excellence continues to make us Ladue Proud.