Ascension Academy has awarded its first Instrumental Scholarship to clarinetist Andre Hurst. The academy will provide Andre with a four-year scholarship to study with Janine Thomas, principal clarinetist of the Lancaster and Harrisburg symphony orchestras.

Andre is a ninth-grader at Hempfield High School. In addition to playing in his school ensembles, he was selected for District Band in eighth and ninth grades. He is the first chair clarinetist in the youth chamber orchestra Allegretto, which will perform Beethoven's 7th Symphony this spring. Andre is frequently invited to play with the Franklin & Marshall College band. He has been studying with Thomas for four years and has played advanced repertoire such as the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Weber Concertino, and Saint-Saëns Sonata. Andre has also played the piano for nine years. He enjoys archery and is a member of his school's tennis team.

Community members may hear Andre play music on Sunday, May 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church's Music Ministry Sunday, a celebration of music featuring students of the Ascension Academy. The church is located at 600 E. Penn Grant Road, Willow Street. Masks are required during the service.

The mission of Ascension Academy is to provide educational programs in the visual and musical arts to students of all ages and levels. Currently, the school offers flute, clarinet, and saxophone lessons provided by Thomas and keyboard and guitar lessons given by the church's music director, John Zielinski.

For more information about the academy, email Zielinski at jzvarious@gmail.com or call 717-874-8079.