The highest honor a Texas music student can receive is to be named to the All-State Band and Choir.  Over 64,000 students auditioned for the honor to perform in 15 band ensembles in front of a panel of judges that ranked each performer in their instrument group, according to uiltexas.org.  Students prepared and performed Etudes, a mastery piece of college level music. At each level of performance, a longer piece of the Etudes is performed by each musician and the top musician from each instrument is chosen to advance to All-State Band.

Six students from Lake Ridge High School were selected to the All-State Band as the highest ranked musicians in Texas.  Sophomore, Paloma Infante, was chosen to All-State Band for Bass Clarinet. “I’ve been working hard like practicing three hours a day and I’ve been putting off homework to practice,” she explained.  “Making state as a sophomore really means a lot because I put so much time to this I wanted to make myself proud. Ultimately I’m doing it for myself and it looks good on college resumes.”

The chosen musicians worked long hours with their band directors, private instructors, and families as well. “I’m extremely grateful to all who have helped me achieve this.  Without them, this would not have been possible,” expressed Scott Sanders, freshman, who has been selected to All-State Band for French Horn. “I feel very accomplished to have made it.”

The musicians begin training in July for District competition against others throughout MISD.  Thirty students from each instrument then are selected then advance to Regions, and only two musicians are selected at Area auditions.  The best musician in each discipline is then selected for All-State Band.

These All-State students participate in three days of rehearsals directed by nationally recognized conductors during the annual state TMEA Clinic/Convention. Their performances will bring this extraordinary event to a close before thousands of attendees.

All-State Band Members:

(Courtesy of Mansfield ISD)