Local high school musicians head to All-State
For the musically inclined, being selected to perform at the annual All-State concert is a huge honor.
This year’s All-State performers will include eight band and choir students from Odessa. The process to be selected as an All-State performer begins with more than 60,000 students who audition across the state and has dwindled down to about 1,500 students.
The students leave Wednesday for the annual Texas Music Educators Association at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio goes until Saturday. The students will have a series of practices the first couple of days and have their big performance on Saturday.
Students selected also have opportunities to receive scholarships.
Michael Watts, band director at Permian High School, said being selected for the All-State band is the highest individual accomplishment a music student can receive.
Aaron Hawley, Permian High choir director, agreed.
“It’s the best of the best from all across the state,” Hawley said.
The students include:
Jonathan Ortiz
School: Odessa High School.
Age: 17.
Grade level: Senior.
Instrument: Percussion.
Other awards or band recognition: Jonathan was selected to the All-State band last year and was selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City this year.
Future plans: Jonathan plans to attend the University of North Texas to study music.
What do you enjoy most about band?
“I enjoy creating new musical sounds with the people at my school I care most about,” Jonathan said.
Jordan Beall
School: Permian High School.
Age: 18.
Grade level: Senior.
Voice: Tenor one.
Other awards or band recognition: Jordan was selected for second chair in the choir sophomore and junior years and fourth chair for senior year.
Future plans: Jordan plans to attend Oklahoma City University to study dance performance, but does plan to sing in college in some way.
What do you enjoy most about choir?
“The feeling you get after putting all the hard work and passion into making music,” Jordan said.
Andrew Gonzales
School: Permian High School.
Age: 17.
Grade level: Junior.
Instrument: Percussion.
Other awards or band recognition: Andrew has received the Kimberly Turner Memorial Scholarship.
What do you enjoy most about band?
“The music is an emotional lift that I receive each day,” Andrew said. “It brings me great joy and happiness.”
Paul Gore
School: Permian High School.
Age: 18.
Grade level: Senior.
Voice: Tenor one.
Other awards or choir recognition: Paul has previously been selected for the All-Region choir.
Future plans: Jordan plans to attend Odessa College and said he will be in a choir.
What do you enjoy most about choir?
“I just enjoy the fact that I get to use my voice,” Paul said.
Kirsten Pankey
School: Permian High School.
Age: 16.
Grade level: Junior.
Voice: Alto one.
What do you enjoy most about choir?
“Growing in my musical ability along with other great people,” Kirsten said.
Kaitlyn Tucker
School: Permian High School.
Age: 17.
Grade level: Senior.
Voice: Soprano two.
Future plans: Kaitlyn plans to attend Texas Tech University and will audition for the choir.
What do you enjoy most about choir?
“I enjoy the music we make and the lifelong friendships I made,” Kaitlyn said.
Ashley Allen
School: Permian High School.
Age: 17.
Grade level: Senior.
Instrument: Bass clarinet.
Future plans: Ashley plans to attend Texas Tech University and hopes to play in the band.
What do you enjoy most about band?
“The thing I enjoy the most about the band is Monday night sectionals with Mr. Carroll,” Ashley said.
Casey Brito
School: Permian High School.
Age: 17.
Grade level: Senior.
Instrument: B flat clarinet.
Future plans: Casey plans to attend Texas Tech University and hopes to play in the band.
What do you enjoy most about band?
“My favorite thing about band is how I get to collaborate with other musicians to make great music,” Casey said. “At All-State especially, I get to play with several other great clarinet players; it’s an indescribable feeling.”
