Five Carroll musicians experienced history during the Texas Music Educators Association Convention this past weekend in San Antonio. Not only was it the 100th annual TMEA Convention but also it was the first All-State band performance many of them got to experience.
Three of the students, trumpet player Chase Adams, tenor saxophonist Tori Thomas and violinist Grace Xu previously placed in the Texas all-state band in November, while contrabassoonist Drew Keady and bassoonist Diego Pena placed in the band last month. Drew says this was his first year to audition on the contrabassoon, and this was also his first year to make it to All-State.
“When I found out I made the All-State band, I was ecstatic," Drew expresses. “I honestly was kind of surprised. I hadn’t thought that I would make state, let alone be the first chair in all of Texas.”
CISD Band Director Ken Johnson says the kids traveled to San Antonio on Wednesday and got right into practicing their music for Saturday’s convention. With this being the TMEA’s centennial celebration, Ken says the special occasion was marked by commissioning a piece by Texas composer Frank Ticheli called “Sailing the Sky,” which the bands performed during their concerts on Saturday.
“It was a historical moment not only for the students but also for the directors and staff,” Ken expresses. “Getting to be part of the 100th TMEA Convention was a bonus celebration.”
Of the five students that placed in All-State Band, Drew and Diego both made first chair in their respective sections and chose to play in the symphonic band. This is Diego’s second time to have made it in All-State, and he says his second experience was just as incredible as the first.
“I was ranked the second chair bassoon in the entire state as a freshman,” Diego explains. “I love getting to do what I love surrounded by people who do what they love just as much.”
After their Saturday performances, the Carroll musicians went home, with Drew and Diego looking ahead to performing at the Music For All National Chamber Festival in Indiana next month. Ken says he’s proud of his students and all the hard work they’ve put in the past several months to make it to the 100th TMEA Convention.
“They all had fantastic performances,” Ken expresses. “For students to earn a spot in the top 2%, that’s such a huge honor. We couldn’t be more proud of those five.”