Band students competed at Lamar High School in phase one and phase two for positions in the region band and to advance to the area audition in Midland, Texas. The audition process took nearly 16 hours before everyone in the school had left. For the audition, students were to perform about 45 seconds worth of music for judges.
Legacy has 34 players that will perform in one of the four region bands, which start rehearsing on Jan. 17. Breaking the record for Legacy, 23 students and eight chosen first alternates traveled to Midland to compete in the area competition on Jan. 11.
“We get to turn on our cocky side and kick some butt,” junior Elizabeth Shaner said. “Area is where the judges get really picky. A little mess up can ruin your entire chance of making state.”
At area, each musician auditioned for either the 4A or 5A band. 5A gets graded as a more talented band, but that doesn’t mean 4A appears any less desirable. Thousands of musicians strive to make it.
“I got some last minute practicing,” junior Ariana Ayala said. “I’m so ready for area this Saturday.”
All musicians in the state of Texas received their three etudes in August of 2013, giving students a total of five whole months to perfect the music through private lessons, playing in front of peers and getting approval from band directors. Area judges expect the entire cut of the music to be played well, so one minor mistake can crush the chances of advancing to the next level.
After hours of auditioning, Legacy had a total of five people advance to the all-state level: senior Dylan Peacock on the trumpet, juniors Audrey Snow, Jessica Copeland and Ariana Ayala on the clarinet and sophomore Taylor Glover on alto saxophone. Among the others auditioning, Legacy’s performers were one or two away from making the all state level, in which they earned the position first alternate. In this case, if one of the all-state players can’t make the state meet, they would get to take the person’s place.
“I made 5A all-state,” junior Audrey Snow said. “It’s not where I would rank myself, but the competition was tough because it’s 5A. This has been a tough season, but it’s worth it.”