During the 2016-17 school year, Aubrey Fossett, of Waterville Senior High School, and Eli Caret, of Messalonskee High School, along with other music students across the U.S. and overseas in military base schools, practiced to gain a chair in the KV and All State Music Ensembles.

Fossett and Caret joined other qualifying students on Nov. 26-29 for the National Association for Music Education’s 2017 All-National Honor Ensembles at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, according to a news release from NAfME.

Fossett, a junior, plays French horn in band, trumpet in jazz band and sings in high school chorus. Caret, a senior, plays French horn in band.

The All-National Honor Ensembles performers represented collaboration and creativity in its highest musical form. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir and jazz ensemble.

Students were chosen through an audition process. Eligible students qualified for their state-level honor ensemble program and competed against top students for a spot in these national honor ensembles.

Selected students rehearsed a challenging repertoire in preparation for performing under the baton of five prominent conductors: Dr. Z. Randall Stroope (Mixed Choir), Dr. Margery Deutsch (Symphony Orchestra), Dr. T. André Feagin (Concert Band), and Todd Stoll with Lauren Sevian (Jazz Ensemble). All of the conductors have received top honors in their field and spent several days rehearsing with students before the concert, according to the release.