Ngl this was probably the best weekend of my life pic.twitter.com/9oARaa8fYr
— Little Himes (@samdaman555) February 14, 2016
Sam Himes, a junior at Timber Creek went to San Antonio Texas to audition for his spot in the all state band competition. Himes is the only French Horn player in Keller ISD to make it to all state. He was the eighth chair horn player in the Symphony Orchestra.
“All state is the most selective processes for High School musicians in Texas,” Himes said. “It is the best of the best.”
Along side 150 other Timber Creek students Himes had to go through a series of auditions and cuts to make it this far. All other auditions took place in a large room with many other students. The judges would go one by one through the group and ask the students to play a few selections of music. This varies from Himes’ solo audition which determines his place in the all state bands and orchestras.
“Solo auditions are a lot less stressful than auditioning in front of a whole group of people.” Himes said. “You don’t have to worry about what others sound like or have done before.”
Band Director Darla McBryde bragged on Himes and Alto Saxophone player Benton Westbrook, who also made it to all state.
“They set some really strict measurable goals and worked really hard to achieve those goals.” she said. “All-State is a big deal because you get to meet and work with professional musicians.”
In the future Himes hopes to attend a college where he can double major in Music Education and Performance to pursue a career as a professional musician where he will travel around performing in different ensembles.