Students prepare their solos in December and begin practicing with piano players two weeks prior to the competition. Most students play college-level material, and have minimal amounts of time to assemble their piece. Many of the soloists met with their accompanists only twice before the competition, logging most of their practices either early in the morning 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,” shared Band Director Tom Kuhn. “We begin work in December, just before the students leave for Winter break, and when we return to school we are at the band hall from 6 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. until the completion of the competition. It takes a lot of work and effort from our student musicians.”
The 60 Terrell High School students that received a 1st Division on their Class 1 Solo or Ensemble will compete at the state competition on May 27 in Austin at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
Congratulations to these musicians on this tremendous accomplishment.
Students who received a 1st Division on their solo:
Flute: Paige Paulson, Jonathan Valdelamar, Brianna Vargas,
Clarinet: Andrea Hutson, Taiya Henderson, Jessica Mendoza, Ashlyn Staeger, Cynthia Aguilar, Christina Armendariz, Molly Cole, Genesis Nunez, Audilia Vargas,
Bass Clarinet: Pilar Rodriguez
Contra Clarinet: Pinglee Rodriguez
Alto Saxophone: Preston Harris
Tenor Saxophone: Cristian Rodriquez, Payton Wynne
Baritone Saxophone: Nathan Rogers
Trumpet: Christian Nunez, Proto Castro, Hele Guerra, Alina Adkins, David Pecina, Maria Valdelamar
French Horn: Delfina Valdelamar, Karen Valdelamar, Angie Acevedo, Daniel Stanley
Euphonium: DeAndre Barnett, Eric Campos, Tayah Harris
Tuba: Erika De La Cruz, Derrick Livingston
Snare Drum: Israel Castro, Arnaldo Ibarra, Samson Lao, Amelia Miramontes, Jimmy Sanchez, Daphne Thompson
Keyboard Percussion: Courtney Thornton, Sydney Womack
Students who received a 1st Division on their ensemble:
Flute Trio - Caitlynn Bishop, Amber Guest, Jonathan Valdelamar
Flute Quartet - Kaitlyn Pruitt, Joanna Reyna, Brianna Vargas, Mary Williams
Clarinet Trio - Christina Armendariz, Molly Cole, Jesse Valdelamar
Clarinet Quartet - Taiya Henderson, Alayna Marroquin, Jessica Mendoza, Ashlyn Staeger
Clarinet Choir - Genesis Acuna, Cynthia Aguilar, Stephanie Aguilar, Genesis Nunez, Pinglee Rodrigues, Pilar Rodriguez, Aimee Sanchez, Audilia Vargas
Saxophone Quintet - Preston Harris, Cristian Rodtiguez, Nathan Rogers, Hazel Vargas, Payton Wynne
Trumpet Quartet - Diego Armendariz, Austin Harris, Ging McDonald, Maria Valdelamar
French Horn Quartet - Angelica Acevedo, Delfina Valdelamar, Karen Valdelamar, Kethzary Ventura
Tuba/Euphonium Quartet - Jessica Batres, Tayah Harris, Derrick Livingston, Lupe Ortiz
Percussion Ensemble - Mireya Armendariz, Madison Bailey, Angela Pittman, Oscar Pittman
Percussion Ensemble - Israel Castro, Arnaldo Ibarra, Samson Lao, Amelia Miramontes, Jimmy Sanchez, Daphne Thompson, Courtney Thornton, Sydney Womack