BPS student musicians to compete at annual state contest and perform with all-state groups in spring 2026

At the end of April, student musicians from high schools in Bellingham Public Schools will head to the annual WIAA/WMEA Solo and Ensemble State Contest in Ellensburg, Washington. These musicians placed first in their category at the San Juan Music Educators Association (SJMEA) solo and ensemble regional contest held on Feb. 1 at Blaine High School in 2026.

Across Washington state, there are 22 regional competitions and the winners from each of those have a chance to compete against the other top musicians in the state in Ellensburg in late April.

State-level soloists and ensembles from Bellingham High School are:  Aubrielle Blum, flute/piccolo; Aliya Otto, clarinet; Mystical Magical Musicians, woodwinds small ensemble; Ella Dowling, soprano voice; Elliot Donnellan, baritone voice; Aniel Wells-Langley, bass voice; and Jaxson Mull-Knutti and Aech Neyman, composition.

From Sehome High School, state soloists and ensembles are: Sehome Chamber Orchestra, large string ensemble; Wendy’s Style, small string ensemble; Canadians, small string ensemble; Kaylee Blair, violin; Kaden Schmidt, string bass; Julietta Herrera-Carreon, mezzo soprano; Pax Markworth, oboe/English horn; and The Picclers, small brass ensemble.

Squalicum High School musicians competing at state are: SQHS Percussion Ensemble, large percussion ensemble; Squalicum Brass Quintent, large brass ensemble; Juni Stout, timpani and composition; Antonio Malpica, tenor; Ayana Lane, viola, and Reilly Adams, cello.

The Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest is presented by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA), and Gesa Credit Union.

At the end of May 2026, the All-State Conference takes place where the following student musicians have a chance to perform in the All-State groups.

From Bellingham High, the following student singers will perform with the All-State Symphonic Choir: Noah Baker, bass, Ella Dowling, soprano, Lily Earthman, tenor, Asher Garcia, tenor, Leland Johnson, tenor, Elise LaShare, alto, Lincoln Lyons, soprano, Jaxson Mull-Knutti, tenor, Lulu Munro, alto, Ivy Pelto-Fishbeck, alto, Helaina Taysi, alto,  Jack Viggers, tenor, Aniel Wells-Langley, bass, Fiona Dotson, soprano, Rain Farmer, soprano, Jordan Pelto, soprano.  BHS student Aliya Otto will play clarinet with the All-State Philharmonic Winds and BHS student Avery Neem will play violin in the All-State Symphony Orchestra.

From Sehome High, the following student musicians will play with the All-State Philharmonic Strings: Kaylee Blair, violin, Blossom Brogan, viola, Ema Horja, cello, Sylvie Jones, viola, Parker Tran, violin, and Zander Tran, cello. Maria Horja will play violin in the All-State Chamber Orchestra; Enzo Lin will play trumpet in the All-State Symphony Orchestra; and Pax Markworth will play oboe in the All-State Concert Band.

From Squalicum High, the following students will sing in the All-State Symphonic Choir: Harjas Grewal, soprano 2, Antonio Malpica, tenor 2, and Mick O’Shaughnessy, tenor 1. Kai Hanson, alto 1, Payton Palmby, soprano 2, and Makenna Woodard, soprano 1 will sing in the All-State Treble Choir. Maya Hoover, violin, will play in the All-State Symphony Orchestra; Ayana Lane will play viola in the All-State Chamber Orchestra; and Iain MacNevin will play tuba in the All-State Concert Band.

Congratulations to all of our state-level musicians across Bellingham Public Schools.