Nine band members traveled to San Antonio this week to participate in the UIL Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State band. The students left Tuesday, Feb. 9 and auditioned for chair placement the next day, all leading up to a concert put on Saturday, Feb. 13.

“It’s been an amazing experience playing with other players of such a high level,” senior Zach McKellar said. “It was a little intimidating at first- just because everyone was amazing-but now I’m feeling better.”

Students must first perform two etudes and scales at the region level competition. If they advance, they go through area, all leading up to an opportunity in the state band.

“It’s important to have the competitions because it really cool to see where you stack up against other players from around the entire state,” senior Zach Schermerhorn. “Most importantly, it helps you become a better musician.”

McKellar sees the value in participating in UIL.

“I think it’s important to have these competitions because they really cause everyone to just try to be the best that they can be, and that’s all that really matters,” McKellar said. “As long as you’re happy with your own ability, then you should be happy.”

The state level provides a new dynamic to the audition process.

“In both region and area,” Schermerhorn said, “you are the only one in the room, aside from the panel of judges behind a black sheet. At state, you have to audition in front of the judge panel plus every other [contestant], which adds another added layer of stress.”

Between the auditions and rehearsals, students could explore the culture of San Antonio.

“In our free time, we went to the Alamo, walked along the riverwalk, explored the exhibit halls, and also looked at colleges even though that’s a little while away,” freshman Audrey Livingston said.

Younger competitors see opportunities through making state early in their high school career.

“Being a freshmen is a pretty cool experience,” Livingston said. “It’s really fun to know that you can come back and maybe win a scholarship in the future.”

The week in San Antonio is the final state wide competition students can perform in.

“[State] just caps off an amazing musical career with the high school band,” Schermerhorn said. “From winning the state marching contest twice and getting first chair at all-state, my senior year will leave lasting memories for a lifetime.”