After competing at the district, region and area band competitions, juniors Abigail Warren and Ty Gery advanced to the state level, placing 35th and ninth place respectively. The duo ranked in the top 1% of band students in the state, and will perform at the 2024 TMEA Clinic and Convention, one of the top music education conferences in the US.

This year marks Gery’s second year to compete in percussion at the state competition, placing as the highest junior in the state, and advancing 20 spots from his 29th place finish last school year.

“Last year it kind of caught me by surprise because I really didn’t expect to make it as a sophomore. But this year, I didn’t feel very confident about the way that I played in the room,” Gery said. “I was a little bit relieved to know that I had made it again, and I was still progressing and glad that I had moved up.”

When Legacy competed in the 5A division, students could choose to compete with their division, or, for a challenge, compete in the 6A division. With Legacy now realigned for 6A, students face more intense competition from schools with bigger student populations.

“It’s a lot more competitive because there are way more schools, and since they’re bigger schools, they have a lot more talent,” Gery said “It also changes who makes it to phase two because for 5A, you don’t have to get top six, you just have to be top six of 5A students.”

Students receive the music for the competition in late July. The competition focuses on rhythmic accuracy, musical knowledge of your instrument and an understanding of timing. Warren prepared three etudes on the flute for the competition, placing in the top six of 124 competitors in the region competition.

“I practiced three etudes for several months to prepare. I played in front of people several times to practice being nervous,” Warren said “I had a great support system that made sure I knew that all I needed to do was have fun.”

Percussion Director Chris Vasquez worked with the students throughout their preparation for the competition, including opening the band hall during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks to offer critique and additional time to practice.

“I would start off by saying proud is an understatement. Making the All-State band is an achievement in itself, but doing it twice is amazing,” Mr. Vasquez said. “The work ethic and pressure to make it again takes a lot of commitment and mental toughness. Ty’s ability to thrive under pressure and perform his best when it counts is remarkable. Few students make the All-State band and even fewer make it a second time.”

Gery intends to pursue music after high school, though he is not yet sure on whether he will study teaching or performing. Competing at the state level allowed him to try different bands to help find his passion.

“[By performing], I get the satisfaction giving these people music and making them feel what I feel whenever I’m learning it,” Gery said. “Learning it might be a pain in the butt, but being able to hear their reactions and listen to people’s thoughts on it. Especially when it’s compliments, it’s like ‘Yes!, I spent like an hour on a measure, six notes, and you love it!’ I get to give that good feeling to other people.”