The Carroll ISD band program broke records last week when 70 of its musicians qualified for the TMEA All-Region band.
In previous years, Carroll musicians would travel to a school and audition in front of their peers and anonymous judges. But due to COVID-19, musicians had to instead submit recordings of their musical performances for consideration.
CISD band director Ken Johnson says that allowed more of their students to audition this year, but it also made for a harder competition.
“All of these recordings being turned in were from the best of the best across the region,” Ken says. “The competition in our area is some of the best in Texas. We went up against some amazing musicians.”
Despite the challenge, CISD broke its previous record by qualifying 70 of its musicians for region and 17 members for area. According to MySouthlakeNews.com, CISD region band members include piccoloists Makena Kao, Isabelle Velasco and Grace Drake; flutists David Zacharia, Jessica Yang, Likhitha Veerapalli, Dhruvi Rukumanna Gari, Charissa Wang, Kate Hansen, Brittany Luan and Carson Forkner; clarinetists Andrea Aguilar Villalobos, Ian Yu, Ria Taluja, Yash Baruah, Bailey Koewing, Fe Lau, Gavin Eke, Marten Koning, Aleeza Virani, Boyang Liu, Mattie Kleespies, Hannah Fonseca; oboists Cara Parsons, Eri Pilon, Elizabeth Wu and Imaad Virani; bassoonists Sam Everett, Paula Aponte, Kiera DiCesare and Andrew Keady; saxophonists Khang To, Christopher Clarin, Libby McTaggart, Justin Hao, Abigail Balson, Zachary Wassef, Karla Aleman, Bates Pulliam, Michelle Page, Joe Sweeney and Henry Thompson; French hornists Jake Tessnow, Rylie Allen, Justin Sasek, Megan Wolf, Aidan Aalund, Justin Sasek, Jack Kester, Olivia Lamont and Caleb Schaunaman; trumpeters Hudson Koonsman, Morgan Carr, Georgia Lamont and Alex Estridge; trombonists Alexandria Guinn, Carson Crays, Jake Bonanno and Riley Silfies; euphonists Austin Smallwood, Nicole Krishna and Chris Estridge; tuba players Raiden Kawai, Sebastian Lanuza, Jackson Dockal, Carter Doby and Brice Prince and percussionists Etash Bhat and Michael Blumberg. Baritone saxophonist Diego Pena also made the Texas All-State Jazz Band.
“I know our students, and I know what their abilities are,” Ken says. “Despite the obstacles of the new audition process, these guys came through with flying colors. We’re extremely proud of their efforts.”
The TMEA Convention takes place virtually later this week, Feb. 11-13. To learn more about the convention, visit TMEA.org.