Band Members Compete in All-Region

Texas Music Educators Association offers an opportunity for scholarships and broadcasting talent for band members through the annual All-Region competition which occurred on December 1 at Groesbeck High School.

“Every second counts when it comes to practice,” junior David Thomas said. “I used several things like a metronome and a tuner to work on dynamics and rhythms, but probably the most important thing for preparation is having somebody to mentor you as you progress before tryouts.”

Thomas and sophomore Logan Anders will compete in the area contest January 12. Seniors Anna Kaye Williams and Brodrick Rose and freshman Emma Sharpe also placed in the bands, but did not advance to area.

“Participating in the contest is the most important thing the students could do,” band director Gust Witt said. “Even if they didn’t make the band they learned so many things.”

This contest focuses more on the individual skill of a student rather than the talent of a band as a whole. This allows the student’s hard work and passion for music to show and their skill to be judged and scored.

“I did a lot better than I did when I was in Junior High trying All- Region,” freshman Emma Sharpe said. “I made 11th chair, 5th chair concert band, and I am very happy with how well I did and hope for more confidence in the years ahead.”

In order to advance, the contestant had to place in a certain range of chair numbers. Once they qualified, they are placed in either the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) symphonic band or ATSSB concert band.

“We did quite well,” Witt said. “I feel like a few more should’ve made it, but I’m happy with the people that made area.”

For the competition, the competitors played three scales. They also played two varying etudes of different speeds and keys.

“The contest was more difficult and intimidating than I thought it would be,” freshman Alyson Sanchez said. “The music and scales are a lot harder than junior high’s.”

Judging the competition is point- based, so each different piece had a different point value. The total possible points was 300 because there were 100 points for the three scales, 100 points for Etude 1, and 100 points for Etude 2.

“Working hard to place well in the bands is definitely worth it because the symphonic band experience is amazing,” Thomas said. “Also, if you advance to state, you get to work with the best high school musicians, and colleges give scholarships out to students who make state.”

Contest rooms are basically classrooms, but with a makeshift barrier because the judges are not allowed to see the contestants. Another protective measure does not allow the contestant to speak because the judges could recognize their student’s voice and become biased.

“When I first walked in, I was shaking a lot, but I reminded myself that as long as I try I can do good,” Sharpe said. “Trying counts more than just giving up.”