Anticipation fills the air as parents and students alike all meet in the auditorium of Southmoreland Senior High School. They are eagerly waiting to see a group of eight young musicians be inducted into the Tri-M music honors society.

The inductees were formally revealed on Oct. 24 by band director Mrs. Jamie Gore. These students were selected based on several factors such as having a GPA of 3.0 or above with a 3.5 in music related classes, their written applications and sight reading pieces of challenging music.

The evening began with Mrs. Gore reading an introductory statement explaining the history of the Tri M honors society.

“Beginning in 1936… Tri M began as ‘Maine Music Masters’ in 1936 as a way for band director Alexander Harley to honor musically gifted students.” read Mrs. Gore, “In 1952 the name was changed to ‘Modern Music Masters’… finally it was changed to ‘Tri-M in 1983”

After explaining Tri-M’s history, Mrs. Gore and chorus director Mrs. Zamperini officially inaugurated the 2017-2018 Tri M officers. This formally named senior Shelby Bryan as president, senior Abby Springer as vice president, junior Dylan Opalinski as treasurer, senior Jenn Firestone as historian, senior Ian Zimmerman as publication chair and senior Alayna Perbonish as secretary.

Mrs. Gore then turned the program over to president Shelby Bryan who also read a statement on Tri-M’s importance and the role music plays in student’s lives.

Once the opening speeches had ended, the new Tri-M members were officially inducted. Quay Akins, Morgan Brown, Dakota Coffman, Jennifer Firestone, Ila Greenawalt, Dylan Opalinski, Kaelei Whitlatch and Ian Zimmerman all became the latest members of the 6,186th chapter of the Tri-M honors society.

After inducting their new members, senior Tri-M members were presented with their graduation medallions. The medallions show a symbol of a triplet musical beat which is used to represent the three M’s of Tri-M.

The induction ceremony portion of the event concluded with the inductions of two honorary members, superintendent Dr. John Molnar and former elementary school principal Mr. John Lee. They are the second and third honorary inductees, the first being high school principal Mr. Daniel Krofcheck, who was inducted at the 2010 ceremony.

The evening concluded with refreshments in the cafeteria. Music was played by the Tri-M inductees from both the 2016-2017 and the 2017-2018 inductions.

“It was very reminiscent of a cafe with casual performances and good food,” said junior inductee Dakota Coffman. “It was just super fun and laid back.

Back row (left to right); Mrs. Gore, Mr. Krofcheck, Mr. Lee, Abby Kropp, Kaelei Whitlach, Dylan Opalinski, Ian Zimmerman, Jenn Firestone, Alayna Perbonish, Kim Weinman, Melanie Gillot, Dr. Molnar, Mrs. Kuchar, Mrs. Zamperini

Front row (left to right); Abby Springer Shelby Bryan, Quay Akins, Ila Greenawalt, Dakota Coffman, Morgan Brown