Kennett High School senior Katie Coughlan recently auditioned and was selected as the first flutist in the school’s history for the Pennsylvania Music Educator Association’s (PMEA) All-State Concert Band. 

She auditioned with more than 50 flutists from PMEA District 12 to place as one of 12 flutists accepted to the district band, where she was third chair. This placement earned her a seat for the PMEA District 12 Orchestra as well. She was also third chair out of 13 flutists for the Region 6 Band Concert. 

Auditions at the Region 6 concert earned her one of only 18 flutist seats at the All-State Concert held on March 29 at The Forum in Harrisburg. She re-auditioned for her individual chair, placing tenth.

Coughlan has enjoyed playing flute since the fourth grade. A piece she began composing in fourth grade, titled "Conquistador," was featured at the Kennett High School Winter Chamber Concert. 

She has played the piccolo in the high school’s marching band for four years, and served as a section leader her senior year. She has performed with small ensembles throughout her high-school career, including being part of a flute quartet in her senior year. In addition to the flute and piccolo, she has played the saxophone in the jazz band for four years.
In addition to her musical activities, Coughlan has been a member of the school’s track and field team for four years, and ran cross-country in her senior year.  She is a member of Model UN, as well as the National Honor Society.

While undecided about which college she will attend in the fall, Coughlan will major in ocean engineering in college, and hopes to work with marine renewal energy devices. She hopes to continue playing the flute in college.