Sixty members of the Wildcat Band traveled to Winnsboro High School for the Association of Texas Small School Bands Region 4 auditions. These students auditioned before a panel of judges on two musical etudes and eight full-range scales for a spot in the All-Region Band.
“Our band region, Region 4, is the toughest and most competitive in the state for our classification,” Sulphur Springs ISD Head Band Director Spencer Emmert said. “There are so many outstanding band programs in this part of the state. It is a big task to come away with Region band inductees and our kids had an amazing day!”
Students practiced their music during the fall semester with hopes of not only making the All-Region Band, but also of qualifying for the Area audition. Students who place at the top of their section at region qualify for an Area audition, which will be held in early January at Chapel Hill High School in Tyler. The best players on each instrument from Northeast Texas to the Houston and Beaumont areas will be at the audition.
Sulphur Springs had the highest number of students in the ATSSB Region 4 Band — 28 members.
At Area, students compete for a chance to be in Texas All-State Band. The State clinic and concert is in February in San Antonio.
“Along with Region and Area qualification, the All-State Band is a huge honor for any student to achieve and usually is accompanied by forthcoming scholarships for that student. Last year, we had one All-Stater, Levi Caton, on trumpet. He had an amazing time in San Antonio rehearsing and performing with the All-State Band.”
Earlier in the fall semester, Region4conductedJazzBand auditions. Sulphur Springs High School students named to the Region Jazz Band include Brooks Burgin, tenor saxophone; Mika Petty, alto saxophone, and Levi Caton, trumpet. The Region Jazz Band performed Saturday, Dec 2. All three students qualified for the Area auditioned for the All-State Jazz Band. Caton and Petty made the All-State Jazz Band.
“We were so excited for Mika and Levi! This marks the first time in school history that any Sulphur Springs students were named to the All-State Jazz Band, and to have two in the same year is incredible,” Emmert said.
The All-State Jazz Band consists of only two alto saxophones and five trumpets for Class 4A and below. Mika placed first in the state and Levi placed fourth. They both will travel to San Antonio in February to participate in the All-State clinic and concert, along with any other students who qualify in January.
The All-Region Band Clinic and Concert will be held at Gilmer High School Jan. 19-20. Area auditions are Jan. 6.
Wildcat All-Region Band members included Kate Hurley and Kami White, flute; Catherine Starzyk and Paige Batterton (alternate), oboe; Laney Bankston, Jacy Barnett Sadie Barnett, Lauren Maynard, Dylan McKinney, and Caroline Prickette, clarinet; Justin Chen, Mika Petty, and Gael Garica (alternate), alto sax; Brooks Burgin, tenor saxophone; Kannon Gibson, baritone sax; Jaycie Arledge, Levi Caton, Valeria Garcia, Charles McDermott and Diego Perez, trumpet; Brody Emmert and Anthony Small, horn; Aydan Whittle, trombone; Haven Hardy, Ethan Preas and Isaac Stanley, euphonium; Alex Cortez and Ty Robinson (alternate), tuba; and Cara Batterton, McKenna Meskimen, Lucy McKenzie and Jessica Reed, percussion.
Area Qualifiers included Jaycie Arledge, Laney Bankston, Justin Chen; Alex Cortez, Brody Emmert; Valeria Garcia, Kannon Gibson, Haven Hardy, Charles McDermott, Diego Perez, Caroline Prickette, Anthony Small, Isaac Stanley, Catherine Starzyk and Kami White.