THIRTY-THREE BLINN MUSIC STUDENTS EARN ALL-STATE HONORS
Thirty-three Blinn College students recently earned Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA) and Texas Two-Year College Choral Directors Association (TTCCDA) all-state music honors.
Twenty-seven Blinn students were named to the TCCBDA all-state band, while six students earned all-state choir recognition. Both the all-state band and all-state choir performed at the recent Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Conference in San Antonio.
To be selected to the all-state band, students sent a solo performance recording. More Blinn students were selected to the all-state band than any other two-year college in the state, as no other college had more than 17 honorees.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the students,” said Jill Stewart, Division of Visual/Performing Arts & Kinesiology instrumental music coordinator. “They get to work with renowned conductors from University of North Texas and Texas Christian University.”
Of the 27 Blinn students selected, 22 were named to the All-State Symphonic Band and five more were appointed to the All-State Jazz Ensemble. The 27 students in the Symphonic Band are:
- Flute: Zachary Spicker (Bryan)
- Clarinet: Daniel Ward (Brenham), Ebony Parson (Ganado), Kaitlyn Sullivan (Liberty Hill)
- Bass Clarinet: Shelby Barnhart (Katy), Ryan Mahler (Houston)
- Tenor Saxophone: Eric Pierce (Orange)
- Baritone Saxophone: Nicholas Eubanks (Kingwood), Gerald Franks (Jersey Village)
- Trumpet: Chris Fossick (Houston), Bryant Jackson (San Antonio), Steve Perez (Houston)
- Horn: Jonathan Marquez (Austin), Benjamin Grames (Elgin), Jose Gonzales (Houston)
- Bass Trombone: Justin Ruiz (Houston)
- Tuba: Fidel Carreon (Houston)
- Percussion: Alexis Leija (Houston), Aaron Forrester (Bryan), Jacob Clemons (Rosenberg), Misael Pineda (Stafford), Joseph Bankston (Giddings)
The five Jazz Ensemble honorees are: Tristan Pilato (Houston) and Marco Uiloa (Houston) for the saxophone, Jonatan Gallegos (Houston) for the trumpet, Cameron Street (Tomball) for the trombone and Paul Amelang (Brenham) for piano.
Blinn’s all-state choir honorees are: Tia Brown (Frisco), Natalie Orozco (Cypress), Courtney House (Houston), Christian Monday (Katy), Tristan Harden (Jarell) and John Moorman (Brenham).
“This was a very good experience for the all-state choir students,” said Dr. Paulo Gomes, choir director. “The kids loved being able to sing with the best singers in the state.”
Auditions for Blinn’s band and choir are in progress for Fall 2016. Visit www.blinn.edu/vpa/index.html for details, or contact Stewart for instrumentals at 979-830-4262, or Gomes for vocals at 979-830-4239.
The Music Department is part of Blinn’s Division of Visual/Performing Arts & Kinesiology, which offers courses in architecture, arts, kinesiology, music, theatre and communication studies. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/vpa/music.html.