Fifteen student musicians were chosen for All-State and will travel to Baton Rouge in November for the Louisiana Music Educators Conference.
"I'm very proud of these kids!" exclaimed Chad Causey, band director at Airline High School. "When a young musician makes the All-State Band they are pretty much guaranteed scholarship offers from our state schools, whether they are majoring in music or not. Making the band more than one year open the door to higher scholarships in state, and many times, offers from out of state as well."
Students that made All-State had already undergone rigorous auditions at the District level. They are blind auditions, meaning judges cannot see the candidates, and there are two judges in each room. the audition includes 12 major scales, two prepared pieces and a sight reading piece. Competition is tough, to say the least.
From those auditions, each district was allotted a certain number per instrument to send to the second round audition. Those students auditioned again before a different set of judges, who selected the best in the state to make up the All-State Bands and Orchestra.
Representing Bossier Parish Schools in the All-State Mixed Choir are Grace Busby, Arika Lilley, Tommy James and Collin Quackenbush, all from Airline. Making All-State Jazz Ensemble is Jamie Neeley, 5th Trombone, Parkway. All-State Orchestra representatives are Shelby Lauter, Flute, Parkway; Sharon Kim, Oboe, Benton; Charles Gallaher, Horn, Parkway and Kelli Eggleston, Violin II, Airline.
Being named to the All-State Symphonic Band are Devin Simpson, Bass Clarinet, Parkway; Robert Aucoin, Bass Clarinet, Parkway; Chris King, Trombone, Haughton; and Allen Spillers, Trombone, Airline. Participating in the All-State Concert Band are Kaitlin Simpson, Flute, Airline; Haley Jorgensen, Trumpet, Airline; Presley Impson, Horn, Haughton; Clint Wade, Trombone, Haughton; Austin Kemper, Baritone, Parkway; Aaran Gomez, Tuba, Parkway and Tiffany Johnson, Tuba, Airline.
