MySouthlakeNews.com
Three Carroll ISD musicians were named to Texas Music Educators Association All-State Ensembles earlier this week. According to MySouthlakeNews.com, the audition process began in September when thousands of students auditioned for the All-Region band across the state.
Two 20-member state jazz ensembles were selected this week, and they include Carroll trumpet player Chase Adams and tenor saxophonist Tori Thomas. CISD Band Director Ken Johnson says this is Tori’s first time to make the All-State Band while this is Chase’s third time.
“He was an All-Stater in concert band his freshman year,” Ken says. “There’s a chance by senior year next year that he could be one of those four-year All-Staters, which is a huge, huge deal.”
Chase and Tori were not the only ones to be honored for their musical efforts. Violinist Grace Xu was also named to the TMEA Sinfonietta Orchestra, according to MySouthlakeNews.com. While the school does not have an orchestra program, Ken says the band supported Grace throughout her audition nonetheless.
“We helped her get entered into the process and did the paperwork, but she did all of the work with her private teacher all on her own,” Ken explains. “We are super excited for Grace.”
All three musicians will play during the TMEA Convention in San Antonio February 12-15. While several band students have yet to go through their own regional auditions in the winter, Ken says he’s excited for the three students who have made it in so far regardless and can’t wait to see which others may make receive this honor later on.
“Anywhere between 25,000-30,000 students will go through the audition process across the state,” Ken says. “Only 2-3% make it. To be in that grouping is phenomenal.”
Ken says regional, area and state auditions for woodwind, brass and percussion will take place throughout December and run into January.