After successful region and area auditions, seven students from Argyle High School’s Band made the Texas All-State Band: Patrick DeSpain on percussion, Gabriella Cate on percussion, Madalyn Williams on trombone, Sierra Albanesi on saxophone, Chloe Kokenes on euphonium, Emma Webb on clarinet, and Audrey Livingston on flute. The select few will audition for chairs in the state band starting Feb. 7 through Feb. 11. 

Setting a new school record, the band had 48 students make region band and 26 that continued on to audition for area. 

Band Director Kathy Johnson always tells her students that “preparation is key,” which has helped prepare them for auditions, both past and present. 

“Once marching season is over, I put a signup sheet on my door,” Johnson said. “Kids come in and play for me, and I give them comments.”  

Several students have unique ways of practicing to perfect their music and scales.

“I’ll record myself and then listen back to for mistakes,” Livingston said.

All crammed into the same warm up room before they enter All-State auditions, students auditioning must rise above their nerves in the face of competition.

“A lot of people will try to play really loud or play really fast to try and psych everybody out,” Webb said. “It’s kind of the competitive part.”   

A previous qualifier for the prestigious state band, Webb passes on wisdom for everyone headed to auditions.

“Focus on yourself and don’t worry about anybody else,” Webb said. “Focus on your own personal gain that you’re going to have and that you’re going to experience there.”

Argyle Band is very proud of their accomplishments and will work to continue their legacy in the upcoming All-State auditions.

“A thing that I say is it has nothing to do with luck,” Johnson said. “You get one snapshot, this little instant of time that you have to prove to the judges that you are the best person for this position.”