Each fall, more than 60,000 music students audition for a coveted All-State spot. This year, six HPHS orchestra students qualified for the 2022 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Orchestra competition. These six students represented Highland Park High School in Region 20 with auditions held Oct. 30 at Booker T. Washington High School.
All-State Orchestra candidates are:
- Justine Choi, junior, violin, Chair 5
- Timothy Zhang, junior, violin, Chair 15
- Iris Song, junior, violin, Chair 25
- Thomas Zhang, junior, cello, Chair 3
- Simon Stout, senior, cello, Chair 4
- Matthew Mattei, senior, bass, Chair 2
23 orchestra students make TMEA Region 20 Orchestra, 6 advance
After an all-day clinic and rehearsal Dec. 4 at Booker T. Washington High School, 23 HPHS orchestra students performed in concert to the applause of proud parents, families, teachers, mentors and musicians in the audience.
Students in the Philharmonic Orchestra performed three works including "Kirt Mosier's American Reel," "Susan Day's Reverie," and "Robert Longfield's Turning Point." Students in Honors Orchestra performed four pieces including Claude T. Smith's "Declaration Overture," Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium," Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance No. 4" and ending with the finale of the evening, Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird 1919."
Six students also advanced to Area and taped for a spot on the All-State Orchestra. These students are:
- Justine Choi, Iris Song and Timothy Zhang - Violin
- Simon Stout and Thomas Zhang - Cello
- Matthew Mattei -Double Bass
Additionally, three students were selected to the All-Region Honors Full Orchestra. These winds and percussion musicians are:
- Spencer Dalton - French horn,
- Olivia Knight -Flute
- Ava Mitchell - Piccolo
The HPHS orchestra program would like to thank the Highlander Booster Club for generously providing boxed meals for students during the two-day event. The program also thanks Orchestra Director Matt Epperson for assisting students on both days of rehearsal, and the amazing orchestra families for their support. The program is immensely proud of our 23 students for their hard work, commitment and dedication, and look forward to All-Region next year.
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