Students prepare solos starting in December, begin practicing with piano players two weeks before the competition, and then compete for 1st division ratings. Most students play college level material and only have a minimal amount of time to assemble their pieces. Many of the soloists met with their accompanists only twice, either early in the mornings or late in the evening.
“This competition is the most strenuous event for the band program because it requires many months of scheduling, preparation, and rehearsals. We begin work in December, just before the students leave for Christmas break, and when we return to school, we are at the band hall from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 at night until the completion of the competition. It really takes a lot of work and effort from our kids,” shared Band Director Tom Kuhn.
Students that receive a 1st division rating on their Class 1 solo or ensemble advance to the next level of competition, the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest held in Austin on May 28. This year, the Terrell Fighting Tiger Band is proudly sending 46 students to the prestigious competition.
Oh behalf of the entire Terrell Proud and Tiger Strong community, congratulations to the Fighting Tiger Band on their outstanding success, and good luck at the state competition!
Congratulations to the following students who received a 1st division rating on their solo:
Piccolo – Kaitlyn Pruitt, Samantha Sanchez
Flute: Madison Beesley, Kayla Kretzmeier, Jennifer Zuniga, Elizabeth Martinez, Abigail Vega, Kiara Villa
Clarinet: Alexas Vargas, Jessie Valdelamar, Paola Aguilar, Cynthia Aguilar, Molly Cole, Christina Armendariz, Xitlallic Aguilar, Tytianna Booker, Gysselle Cruz, Pilar Rodriquez, Raquel Romero
Bass Clarinet: Pinglee Rodriquez
Contra Clarinet: Hannah Farrell
Alto Saxophone: Leslie Valdelamar, Preston Harris, Alex Lao, Mackenzie Yarbrough, Edgar Martinez
Tenor Saxophone: Cristian Rodriquez, Payton Wynne
Baritone Saxophone: Nathan Rogers
Trumpet: Maria Valdelamar
F Horn: Delfina Valdelamar, Karen Valdelamar, Emily Seddon
Trombone: Stetson Click, Arturo Gonzalez, Gerardo Perez
Tuba: Jessica Batres, Ethan Lee
Snare Drum: Samson Lao, Sawyer Click, Jimmy Sanchez, Jose Avitia
Keyboard Percussion: Katie Caudill, Sydney Womack, Courtney Thornton, Madison Bailey, Mireya Armendariz, Elizabeth Speer
Congratulations to the following students who received a 1st division rating on their ensemble:
Flute Ensemble – Amber Guest, Alydeya Jerry, Kaitlyn Pruitt, Samantha Sanchez, Jonathan Valdelamar, Brianna Vargas
Clarinet Trio – Xitlallic Aguilar, Kailey Bolluyt, Ashlyn Staeger
Clarinet Trio – Genesis Acuna, Stephanie Aguilar, Jackie Vega
Clarinet Trio – Molly Cole, Christina Armendariz, Jesse Valdelamar
Clarinet Quartet – Paola Aguilar, Cynthia Aguilar, Alexas Vargas, Leo Vera
Saxophone Choir – Alex Lao, Cristian Rodriquez, Preston Harris, Nathan Rogers, Leslie Valdelamar, Payton Wynne
Percussion Ensemble – Jose Avitia, Isreal Castro, Katie Caudill, Sawyer Click, Samson Lao, Amelia Miramontes, Jimmy Sanchez, Courtney Thornton, Sydney Womack
The following band students qualified for the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest in one event:
Arturo Gonzalez
Stetson Click
Genesis Acuna
Stephanie Aguilar
Jackie Vega
Leo Vera
Cristian Rodriquez
Preston Harris
Nathan Rogers
Leslie Valdelamar
Payton Wynne
Amber Guest
Alydeya Jerry
Kaitlyn Pruitt
Samantha Sanchez
Jonathan Valdelamar
Brianna Vargas
Jose Avitia
Israel Castro
Amelia Miramontes
The following band students qualified for the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest in two events:
Paola Aguilar
Alexas Vargas
Jesse Valdelamar
Cynthia Aguilar
Molly Cole
Christina Armendariz
Alex Lao
Samson Lao
Sawyer Click
Katie Caudill
Sydney Womack
Courtney Thornton
Jimmy Sanchez