31 LHS Band Students Heading to State

Saturday, February 18, at Smithville HS, 46 members of the La Grange High School Mighty Leopard Band performed at UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest. 36 were awarded Division 1 medals for their performances, and 31 students are advancing to UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest.

“This is a result on par or better than most programs who appear at the UIL State Marching Contest. It shows how much our students have progressed as musicians in the past year.” said Chris Cooper, Head Director of Bands. “Last year we had 12 students advance to State Solo & Ensemble, which was a great result. But this year we have 31 students performing at State. That is incredible! It is a tribute to their talent, work ethic, and teamwork!”

Cooper relates Solo & Ensemble as the Band version of Track and Field. “If Concert Band and Marching Band are like the major team sports, Solo & Ensemble relates more to Track in the sense that it focuses on individual performances and small chamber ensembles of 3-6 performers. It requires a great deal more confidence, independence and musicianship to perform compared to concert and marching bands. With big bands, you can rely on other people who are sharing your part. With Solo & Ensemble, you are the only one on your part, and everyone is counting on you to execute flawlessly and artistically. It’s challenging for young student musicians!”

UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest takes place Memorial Day Weekend. Congratulations to the following students on earning a Division 1 medal. An * denotes they are advancing to State:

Class 1 Soloists:

Jill Newton, Saxophone Jose Estrada, Trumpet* Westin Smith, Euphonium* Vanessa Adams, Marimba Trey Dalton, Marimba* Josh Little, Marimba* Marissa Muras, Marimba Gabriel Vega, Marimba* Juan Zuniga, Marimba*

Class 3 Soloists:

Gavin Cook, Marimba Slade Jecmenek, Piano

Woodwind Quartet: Hailee Martinez, Flute* Autumn Wolf, Oboe* Chloe Coufal, Clarinet* Devin Cooper, Bassoon*

Clarinet Quartet: Jessica Torres* Hannah Holman*

Anthony Anzaldua* Oswaldo Castaneda*

Saxophone Quartet:

Dominick Smith, Alto Sax* Jill Newton, Alto Sax* Jackson Bennett, Tenor Sax* Ray Moore, Baritone Sax*

Brass Sextet: Jose Estrada, Trumpet* Jonathan Delgadillo, Trumpet* Meadow Taylor-Marklin, Horn* Ricardo Ramirez, Trombone* Westin Smith, Euphonium* Brazos Vick, Tuba*

Brass Quintet 1:

Edgar Monjares, Trumpet* KJ Karstedt, Trumpet* Meadow Taylor-Marklin, Horn* Layne Huenefeld, Trombone* Rebekah Valencia, Tuba*

Brass Quintet 2:

Gerardo Gomez, Trumpet* Alejandro Ramirez, Trumpet* Matthew Vecera, Horn* Aiden Johnson, Trombone* Jacob Bridgefarmer, Tuba*