On Feb. 8, four Timber Creek Band students left on a bus for San Antonio to attend the TMEA All-State Clinic, an experience that many students strive to attend at some point during their high school career. Their journey began back in the summer, when TMEA released the All-State Band Audition Etudes. With rigorous practice schedules and many hours spent perfecting the music, these students made it through several rounds of auditions to land a spot in one of the All-State Bands.
Congratulations to the following All-State band members:
Aatmun Baxi- Alto Clarinet
Andrew Brooks- Bassoon
Samuel Himes- French Horn
Benton Westbrook- Alto Saxophone
Baxi, Brooks, Himes, and Westbrook, all Timber Creek seniors, traveled to San Antonio for a four-day clinic and convention where they got to play with the best players in the state of Texas and rehearse with experienced musicians as their clinicians. The TMEA Convention had over 30,000 people in attendance, including educators from all 33 regions in the state as well as over 1700 band, choir, and orchestra students.
“All-State is such an amazing experience because I get to learn from the best players across the state,” said Westbrook. “While I was there, I constantly asked other students about their experiences back home to try and understand music in a broader context.”
In addition to all of the preparation for All-State, all four of the students have been focusing hard to maintain good grades and submit impressive college applications. Brooks, Himes, and Westbrook are also preparing for college music auditions, as they all plan to major in music. The amount of hard work and dedication that each student put into the entire process is indescribable and amazing.
“I’m super grateful I was able to participate in All-State again!” said Himes. “The TMEA convention never fails to show the true beauty and joy of making and experiencing music.”