By Hannah Myers, photo editor

Each and every one of us has a passion; for sophomore Sam Shelenberger, his passion is music. On September 11, Shelenberger was accepted into The Erie Jr. Philharmonic, as a trombone player.
The Erie Jr. Philharmonic is a performing ensemble for students in fifth through twelfth grades who excel in instrumental performance. The ensemble was started in 1953 by Music Director James Sample and President William Schuster. The group is currently celebrating its sixty fourth anniversary.
“I felt like it would give me an excellent opportunity to grow as a musician. It certainly has done that, and we’re only halfway through the season,” Shelenberger said. He has already had two performances with the group, including a combined side-by-side concert with the Erie Philharmonic on Nov. 1.
Shelenberger plays in both the orchestra, where he is on the trombone two part and in the brass ensemble. “I was told by Jesse Stewart to do it, so I auditioned and got in.” SInce Stewart graduated last year, Shelenberger is currently the only student from Saegertown to play in the Jr. Phil.
The group practices at General McLane and performs at Cole Auditorium in Edinboro. His upcoming concerts are the Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Cole Auditorium (general admission $5), and the Winter Ensemble Concert at Blasco Library in Erie on Thursday Dec. 7 at 7:00 p.m. which is free to the public.
With two concerts next week, Shelenberger is ready. “I am kind of nervous, but I think we will pull it off.”