Fifty-one Mount Pleasant High School Band Students earned first division medals at the UIL Region IV Solo and Ensemble Contest at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs on February 7. They have advanced to the State Solo and Ensemble contest to be held in Austin in June.
To earn a first division medal and advance to state, these students logged many hours of practice over the past three months on challenging musical selections chosen by the Texas University Interscholastic League. They then had to perform the work before a judge, a challenge for any young musician. The first division awards they earned represent a superior performance and are the same as a first-place finish.
Qualifying for state are Aachal Amin, Christophjer Araiza, Tommy Arredondo, Manoa Bagsic (8th grader), Isai Baltazar, Jayden Beckham, Jordi Bello, Hannah Bowles (8th grader), Danner Craft, Nestor Cruz, Samuel Dorantes, Maiko Estrada, Alvin Gonzalez, Jimmy Gonzalez, Antarrius Howard, Nia Jackson, Jose Martinez, Kayla Mata, Leslie Mayo, Maria Mendez, Alitzel Mendoza, Jair Moreno, David Nava, Erik Ojendis, Marco Orona, Oscar Palacios, Samuel Pearson, David Perez, Kolby Perkins, Frank Pina, Pedro Portillo-Rodriguez, Angel Quistian, Isai Ramirez, Enrique Ramos, Omar Ramirez, Holly Reese, Jihsleiny Rios, Jordan Rivas, John Gregory Rodriguez Hernandez, Johnathan Segari, Nicholas Segovia, Jeremy Sotelo, Anahi Valente, Cristi Vazquez, Jesus Vazquez, Jerrius Vickers, Hunter Williams, Donoven Young, Rebecca Yox, Sharon Zambrano, and Pedro Zuniga.
“This is the largest group Mount Pleasant High School has ever had advance to the State Solo and Ensemble Contest,” said Dr. Theodus Luckett, MPISD Director of Fine Arts and MPHS Goin’ Gold Band Director. “We congratulate the students and their band directors. We wish them success at State in June.”
Photo: MPHS Goin’ Gold Band Students Going to State Solo and Ensemble Contest