Bethany Public Schools Orchestra

In honor of graduation day, can you guess who these sweet young musicians are during the early years of playing an instrument? Congrats class of 2026, we will miss you but know you will do amazing things! Thank you for making music with us these past nine years! You have definitely left your impact on the Bethany orchestra program!

“Hello, my name is Jaletza Mendoza, and I play the viola. I have been playing the viola for nine years , ever since fourth grade. My favorite piece that I played was Ghost of Brandenburg by Richard Meyer because it challenged me the most and pushed me to become a better musician.”My favorite orchestra memory was going to OSU for state solo and ensemble and getting Eskimo Joe’s afterwards
After graduating I plan on attending the University of Central Oklahoma and studying criminal justice and forensic science.
Advice to underclassmen:
“Don’t stress over being perfect, just do your best and keep going, because nobody is perfect.”

My name is Noah Eskridge and I have played the violin since I was 5 years old. My favorite piece that we have played was Devil Went Down to Georgia. It was a really fun experience and it was so cool to play it with Kyle Dillingham and his band.
My favorite memory is probably going to Branson, MO. It was really fun to perform in front of a large audience. I was able to hang out with a bunch of friends and overall it was a great experience.
After high school, I will major in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences and minor in Data Analytics at the University of Oklahoma.
My advice to underclassman is don't stop playing. Learning to play the violin has been the greatest decision of my life. It has granted me many opportunities I wouldn't have gotten otherwise and it can really help you in your own life. If you quit or stop, you will lose out on so much. Enjoy playing your instrument and have fun performing.

Next up on our senior salutes…Emily Wickersham!

Hi! My name is Emily Wickersham and i’ve been playing violin for 9 years. My favorite piece to play was Devil went Down to Georgia. It was difficult but fun to play!! My favorite Orchestra memory is going to Branson with the choir!
I plan to attend SNU to major in Early Childhood Education. I hope to teach kindergarten or 1st grade, marry a God fearing man, and be a mom. My advice to underclassmen is honestly to just have fun with it! You going to gain and lose people but in the end you will just look back and how far you’ve come as a person.

Next up on senior shout outs…Luke Gillespie!

My name is Luke Gillespie and I have been playing the violin for 9 years. My favorite piece from orchestra has been Carpe Diem because it was my first real difficult piece of high school. My favorite orchestra memory was when we had orchestra bonding time in Branson!!! After high school, I will be attending the University of Oklahoma to major in nursing. After college I hope to travel the world with my future wife Sophia!
My advice to underclassmen is try to always be as kind as possible to as many people as possible. AND GET INVOLVED!!!

Don't miss our final concert of the year!

It’s time for our annual senior salutes! First up, Jessica Swedlow!

Hi! My name is Jessica Swedlow and I've been playing the violin since 4th grade so 9 years. My favorite piece we have played was Perseus because it was a fun and good challenge.
My favorite orchestra memory was when we did our concert with Horseshoe Road my freshman year.
I plan to go to Oklahoma State University and major in hospitality and tourism management.
My advice for underclassmen would be to make building memories a priority. Do all the random fun things and don't let all the school stuff overwhelm you too much.

Way to go Bethany Middle School Orchestra! These kids represented at solo and ensemble contest this past week! 🎶🎶🎶

SUPERIOR SOLO RATINGS
-Emely Ramirez
-Allayna Kitchell
-Kaytlin Bunch
-Navy White
-Carter Chamberalain
-Ja'Chelle Osborn
-George Mendoza
-Zoe Burns
-Bennett Wickwire
-Scarlett Daniels

SUPERIOR ENSEMBLE RATINGS
-Bennett Wickwire/Carter Chamberlain/George Mendoza/Navy White and Allayna Kitchell
-Scarlett Daniels/Allayna Kitchell
-Jade Thompkins/Estella Rivera
-Lexi Daniels/Elise Hulstine
-Ja'Chelle Osborn/Carol Hernandez
-Brightyn Hawkinson/Carol Hernandez
-Lena Ulvestad/Zoe Burns/Arden Schlegel
-Owen Fine/George Mendoza
-Navy White/Bennett Wickwire
-Maddie Ramos/Parker Wickwire

EXCELLENT SOLO RATINGS
-Allie Isaac
-Makenna Russell
-Blythe Hawkinson

EXCELLENT ENSEMBLE RATINGS
-Blythe Hawkinson/Allie Isaac
-Emely Ramirez/Carol Hernandez
-Makenna Russell/Julia Blood/Scarlett Daniels/Allie Isaac/Juliette Pinzon
-Brooklynn Johnson/Adeline Childers
-Brooklyn Johnson/Adeline Childers/Savanna Johnson/Elise Hulstine
-Maddie Ramos/Lexi Daniels/Lillian Sawyer/Parker Wickwire
-Analee Orth/Elyse Peterson

To sum that up…
🎶 5 superior solos
🎶 2 excellent solos
🎶 9 superior ensembles
🎶 2 excellent ensembles

This earns us the sweepstakes accent award! Way to represent Bronchos!