Havre High musicians honored by trustees

The Havre Middle School auditorium held about 150 people Tuesday night to recognize the achievement of Havre High School musicians in last month's state music festival in Missoula.

The large majority of the crowd was made up of those from the nearly 100 honored who could make the meeting and their family, friends and supporters, including Superintendent Andy Carlson who spoke to the crowd.

"The amount of people here tonight is a testament to what is going on in our fine arts education," Carlson said. "I'm not a musician, but I know excellence when I hear it."

The Montana High School Association's State Solo & Ensemble Festivals were held on May 6 and 7, with eastern schools in Billings and western schools in Missoula.

Havre High School sent almost 20 percent of its student population to compete, and the judges found 100 of them to be of "superior" quality.

This isn't the first time Havre High's music program has impressed people from around the state.

During the legislative session, the choir performed in Helena for many state leaders, inspiring Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger to let the schools know how impressed he was.

But Tuesday night, it was the trustees and administration's turn to show their thoughts.

"You've made your community proud," Carlson said. "I love going to the concerts, and I can't tell you how proud I am when I go there."