High School Band, Orchestra Students Advance to UIL State Contest
Both Abilene High School and Cooper High School band and orchestra students competed in the University Interscholastic League Region 6 East Zone Solo and Ensemble competition on Feb. 24 at Abilene High School. AISD had 124 student entries advance to the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest which will be held at the University of Texas at Austin, May 25-28.
SOLO STATE QUALIFIERS
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo were Abilene High School band students Laura Diaz and Nathaniel Diaz, (flute); Sarah Blankenship (clarinet); Matthew Bos (alto sax); Michael Lester (trumpet); Parker Fowlkes (horn); Brian Lester (euphonium); Kris Finch (tuba); and John Drennan, James Melson, Adriely Rocha, Austin Stevenson, Stefan Taylor, and Josh Ward (keyboard percussion).
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo were Cooper High School band students Faith Parsons (piccolo), Shelby Murray and Faith Parsons (flute); Sonali Bhikha, Erin Gutschke, Alyssa McLean, and Madison Warren (clarinet); Sydney Nunn (alto sax); Sammy Guadarrama (trumpet); Amanda Strickland (horn); Kyle Kahl (trombone); Brett Ferguson (tuba); and Miller Bannister, Brady Cluck, Cruz Elias, Matthew Ferguson, and Hayden Nigro (keyboard percussion).
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo were Abilene High School orchestra students Faith Fang, Andrew Fink and Ernesto Mendoza (violin); Aubreyanna Embers and Teran Hall (viola); and Gabriella Garza (cello).
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo were Cooper High School orchestra students Danny Gil and Matheo Vergara (violin).
ENSEMBLE STATE QUALIFIERS
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 ensemble were Abilene High School band students Laura Diaz, Givan Walker, and Bridgette Wright (flute trio); Liana De Vaal, Nathaniel Diaz, Olivia Marquez, and Avra Perez (flute quartet); Gillian Bell, Sarah Blankenship, Hailey Grace Mendenhall, and Hanna Pinson (clarinet quartet); Kaylee Bentle, Nathaniel Hernandez, Carolyne Perkins, and Abbie Waldrop (clarinet quartet); Matthew Bos, Nathan Gonzalez, Coleman Patterson, and Caleb Queen (sax quartet); Gillian Bell, Kaylee Bentle, Colin Dickson, Sophia Englerth, Lara Pliml, Tayva Viramontes, and Jada Williams (clarinet choir); Kelly Boyland, Parker Fowlkes, Braeden Roberson, and Tavia Wilson (french horn quartet); Conner Field, Matthew Jones, Caleb Rektenwald, and Okosieme Ughanze (trombone quartet); Jarrett Daniel, Kristopher Finch, Brian Lester, Michael Lester, and Braeden Roberson (five brass); and John Drennan, Wyatt Forkner, James Melson, Maddie Rogers, Austin Stevenson, Stefan Taylor, Josh Ward, and Dion Wheeler (percussion ensemble).
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 ensemble were Cooper High School band students Kennedy Carmichael, Ayse Colakoglu, Angela Flores, Daniella Hernandez, AJ Lacey, and Adriana Salas (flute choir); Christian Garcia, Megan Kulyas, Shelby Murray, Elisa Padilla, Abby Smith, and Malia Tedfrod (flute trio); Candace Foster Johnson, Nathan Paredes, and Sterling Williams (woodwind ensemble); Tarik Dawson, Brett Ferguson, Jeremiah Gonzales, Haliegh Pacatte, and Zachry Valentine (five brass); Jacob Borgerding, Tarik Dawson, Sammy Guadarrama, Kyle Kahl, Amanda Strickland, and Katherine Woodard (brass trio); Martin Barnes, Joey Devine, Colby Gilley, Jacob Moore, Gregory Rodriguez, and Robert Tinney (trombone trio); and Alexix Alonzo, Bailie Borrego, Brady Cluck, Matthew Ferguson, Noah Gonzalez, and Kaleb Moss (percussion ensemble).
Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Austin by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 ensemble were AISD orchestra students Teran Hall and Danny Gill (viola and violin duet).
CLASS 1 SOLO – 1ST DIVISION RATING
Earning a first division rating on a Class 1 solo were Abilene High School band students Olivia Marquez and Sarah McMillion (flute); Jia Spangler (oboe); Nathaniel Hernandez (clarinet); and Nathan Gonzalez (alto sax).
Earning a first division rating on a Class 1 solo were Cooper High School band students Juliana Gutierrez (flute); Brandy Hagood (clarinet); Sterling Williams (alto sax); and Haliegh Pacatte (trumpet).
Earning a first division rating on a Class 1 solo was Abilene High School orchestra student Brissa Guzman (bass).
Earning a first division rating on a Class 1 solo were Cooper High School orchestra students Harrison Heatherly, Allison Pope, and Jared Ripple (cello).
CLASS 2 SOLO – 1ST DIVISION RATING
Earning a first division rating on a Class 2 solo were Abilene High School band students Alianna Richardson (flute); and Justin Arndt and Hannah Pinson (clarinet).
Earning a first division rating on a Class 2 solo were Cooper High School band students Shannon Walker (oboe); Matthew Casady (bassoon); John Berube and Christian Garcia (bari sax); Cory Murillo (tenor sax); Sadie Shifflett (euphonium); Jeremiah Gonzales (trombone); Matthew Au (tuba); and Tommy Allmand (keyboard percussion)
Earning a first division rating on a Class 2 solo were Abilene High School orchestra students Alexis Hines (violin); and Angelina Kim (bass).
Earning a first division rating on a Class 2 solo were Cooper High School orchestra students Janelle Ripple (violin); Summer Revell (bass).
CLASS 3 SOLO – 1ST DIVISION RATING
Earning a first division rating on a Class 3 solo was Cooper High School band student Jacob Moore (trombone).
Earning a first division rating on a Class 3 solo was Cooper High School orchestra student Jose Pena (viola).
The Abilene High School band students are under the direction of Paul Walker, Jonathan Kraemer, Christina Hurlbut and Brittany Tawater. The Cooper High School band students are under the direction of Clay Johnson, Jenny Reece, Patrick Stevenson, and Rebecca Mathis. The Abilene High School and Cooper High School orchestras are under the direction of Darcy Radcliffe and Fred Grigg.
Middle School Choir Students Compete in Solo Contest
Choir students from all of the AISD middle schools competed in the AISD Middle School Choir Solo Contest held at Madison Middle School on March 1. The following students earned a first division rating on their solo.
Clack Middle School: Gabriel Banks, Icinik Banks, Genesis Cruz, Emani Davis, Kaleb Flores, Lilliana Garcia, Gabrielle Lopez, Jazney McRae, Eliana Menjares, Alyssa Neighbours, Crystal Quade, Jo’Zlyn Silva, and Jeanette Thomas.
Craig Middle School: Hope Arrazola, Jentry Bennett, Tarynn Bridge, Adriana Calvillo, Molly Carroll, Kaylie Enriquez, Gwen Hinderliter, Addison Koslan, Alyssa Lopez, Jacob Mitchell, Kiera Neal, Kelsie Patterson, Graciella Price, Zayda Soriano, Emily Weatherman, Seven Carter, Hope Eambrough, Victoria Gao, Serenity Sanchez, Griffin Sullivan, Daniella Cecil, Jazzony Doiris, Alexa Finnell, Molly Mercer, Harrison Smith, and Karissa Ward.
Madison Middle School: Braylon Ansley, Alissa Bean, Leigha Brannon, Levi Bryan, Amaya Burnside, Timothy Castillo, Alayna Coppler, Mia Cortez, Trevor Cox, Lynzee Ellison, Tinsley Ellison, Ryann Evans, Brayden Flores, Ariana Garcia, Isa Garcia, Abigail Gonzalez, Shelbi Hart-Erwin, Kayleigh Henry, Heather James, Toriana Johnson, Maddie King, Taylor Lancaster, Natalie Lopez, Emily Martin, Haylee McIntosh, Bernadette Moropoulos, Shalom Mutombori, Scarlett Perry, Ava Quinones, Cady Reed, Victoria Rodriguez, Sydney Smith, Ashley Sweeney, Kadence Viel, Linda Vorasane, Bronwyn Ward, Kattie Wetsel, and Emily Whan.
Mann Middle School: Shea Bruntmyer, Haley Cadena, Cheyenne Davis, Ceriaya Fingers, Abagail Hernandez, Bailey Hinds, Shayden Levesque, Solya Lowe, Taylor Nevitt, Jayden Palacio, Sarah Richert, Chloe Ritchey, Amy Roibal, Priscilla Rosales, Mira Savage, Britton Sechrist, MaKenna Simmons, Kaily White, Malia Williams, and Dakota Wright.
The AISD middle school choir students are under the direction of the following teachers: Clack Middle School – Katherine Cotten; Craig Middle School – Lyndsey Ransford; Madison Middle School – Hannah Ware; and Mann Middle School – Ginnylou Murphey.
Art, Photography Students Place in Three Art Competitions
Abilene High School, ATEMS, and Cooper High School art students participated in three recent Art competitions – The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, The Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Photo Contest, and the Midwestern State University High School Art Competition.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Through the Awards, students receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. Gold Key Awards are the very best works and are automatically considered for national-level recognition. Silver Key Awards are stand-out works that demonstrate exceptional ability. Honorable Mention is given for accomplished works showing great skill and potential. The following AISD students received awards:
Arriana Monsey of ATEMS received one Gold Key Scholastic Award for “Jade”.
Three Cooper High students received Scholastic awards: Devanee Gutierrez received two Sliver Key Awards; Ivan Martinez received 1 Silver Key Award and 1 Honorable Mention; and Abigail Smith received 1 Silver Key Award.
The Association of Texas Photography Instructors 2017 Fall Contest received 6,863 entries from 87 schools and placed a total of 507 winners. Three students from Abilene ISD placed. Two from ATEMS and one from Cooper. Victoria Angel, ATEMS, received an Honorable Mention for In Their Hands. Leeann White, formerly ATEMS, received First Honorable Mention for Rusty. Kennedy Carmichael, Cooper, received an Honorable Mention for Final Tribute. These pieces can be viewed at: https://atpi.smugmug.com/Fc17-winners/
Midwestern State University High School Art Competition was held on Jan. 29 at Midwestern State University’s Juanita and Ralph Harvey School of Visual Arts in Wichita Falls
Ten Cooper students received awards. Six students were awarded Honorable Mentions: Kendra Collins (2) – Photography, Dacia Farris and Abigail Smith – Digital Art, Madilyn Abor and Tehya Lira – Printmaking, and Parker Durden – Sculpture. Three students received 2nd Place: Lacy Dodson – Mixed Media, Ivan Martinez – Photography, and Ziggy Hankins – Digital Art. Matthew Shira placed 1st in Digital Art.
ATEMS students are taught by Riley Scroggins. Cooper High School students are taught by Sherry Griffith, Amanda Baldwin and Melody Kennedy.
Middle School Orchestra Students Participate in Solo and Ensemble Contest
Orchestra students from all of the AISD middle schools competed in the Middle School Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Contest held on Feb. 23-24 at Abilene High School.
The following orchestra students earned a first division rating on their solo:
Clack: Camile Barrientes, Camri Clark, Rylie Deshesky, Angel Garza, Alyssa Hernandez, Jade Jarvis, Camryn Loyd, Manassee Massouema, Kimberly Mayer, Monzerrath Pena, Keith Porter, Lewis Rafter, Brandon Reid, Keira Rhodes, Sa’Nya Rodriguez, Ashim Tamang, Rahma Tatu, Chandra Thapa, Adrianne Tijerina, and Skylar Warner (violin); Sophia Benavides, Deago Benavidez, Derek Brindle, Sebastian Ceballos, Savanah Gandall Welch, Jacob Gonzales, Mya Gorman, Libby Herring, Logan Huffman, Erykah Sanchez, Fatima Valencia, and Jayven Watson (viola); Mason Brooks, Eliel Buntu, Steven Cardenas-Palacios, Dathan Dillinger, Madison Gorman, Ezequiel Jusino Torregrosa, Haley Lindley, Kimberly Mayer, Shyann Rhoades, Chloe Russell, and Joel White (cello); and Mustafa Al Azawe, Sebastian Collins, Kaden Galvez, Mya Gorman, Kimberly Mayer, and Allison Showalter (bass).
Craig: Alex Dacanay, Aidan Boisvert, Addison McCorquodale, Jayla Mitchell, Jasman Redwine, Karissa Chapman, James Young, Ethan Dunn, Ryann Liu, Vicky Alexander, Davare Payne, Jacqueline Garcia, and Malia Alcantar (violin); Dimple Harwell, Nicolas Vega, Nicholas Ingram, Calvin Svedin, Daniel Yang, Anicia Salyers, Max Kidd, Zoe Prescott, Alexis Heckathorn, and Isabelle Cooke (viola); DeAija Collins, Lydia Heckathorn, Chloe Ramirez, Austin Hendrickson, Jada Stoots, DJ Hardy, Brodey Barylak, Frank Fang, and Grant Bridge (cello); Danielle McFadden, Robyn Salazar, and Trinity Bryant (bass).
Madison: Allison Abernathy, Morgan Bryan, Ireland Cox, Meya Favela, Starla Francis, Jocilynn Hazelwood, Bianca Johnson, Cambria Jones, Jeanette Macias, Jasmine Martinez, and Owen Tyler (violin); Dylan Ahrens, Willamina Edwards, Trinity Fernandez, Sean Garrett, Chance Line, Samyo Rai, Kris Smith, Joshua Thompson, and Beion Trancoso (viola); Alex Beckett, Jonathan Beckett, Alicia Buerger, Gavin Cowan, Savannah Daily, Ryder Massey, Johnny Nyugen, Adiran Smith, Chloe Smith, Natalie Stefan, and Macey Stevens (cello); and Kai Bland, Kate Boyd, Brynn Bradshaw, Avery Clark, and Allison Trueblood (bass).
Mann: Brooklyn Beal, Sunshyne Gwinn, Grace Kabasinguzi, Maddie McMillon, Raquel Trevino, Zales Williams (violin); Zoe Barrett, Makaila Brown, Alex Escobar, Isabel Gebhart, Abby Lowe (viola); Isaac Arias, Elijah Davila, Trey Hall, Journee Ramirez, Chelsey Thigpen, and Journie Valedez (cello); Anastasia Braun, Dylan Fink, Braxton Scott, Cooper Smith (bass).
The following orchestra students earned a first division rating on their ensemble:
Craig: Bradley Byrne, Jamie Rodriguez, Anlyn Piersall, Lesley Phillips, Serenity Sanchez, Nesa Moreno, Chloe Ramirez, Audrey Benevedo, Karma Copeland, Ameena Martin, Dimple Harwell, Ethan Dunn, Kyle Lackey, Vicky Alexander, Azul Martinez, Qway’dazsha Simion, Jared Schaeffer, Hayden Stewart, Brendan Lambert, Grant Bridge, Addison McCorquodale, Aidan Boisvert, Jacqueline Garcia, Makaila Koslan, Krystian Huff, Frank Fang, Taylor Christoper, James Wellborn, Krystian Huff, Brodey Barylak, Alicia Mesta, Elena Blackraven, James Young, Hunter Ely, DJ Hardy, Amara McGee, Ryann Liu, Alexis Heckathorn, Zoe Prescott, Maya Cossich, Leyla Leon, Lorena Saucedo, Payton Roberts, Ella Bosivert, Carlo Villamor, and Karl Johnson.
Madison: Dylan Ahrens, Alex Beckett, Brynn Bradshaw, Avery Clark, Ireland Cox, Savannah Daily, Starla Francis, Sean Garrett, Bianca Johnson, Jasmine Martinez, Samyo Rai, Kris Smith, and Joshua Thompson.
Mann: Abra Lasater, Journie Valadez, Anastasia Braun, Journee Ramirez, Zoe Barrett, Jade Davis, Addie Jackson, Jaci Jones, Kelci Walraven, Brooklyn Beal, Hailey Cook, Jack Flores, Kenzee Lane, Jaci Jones, Marissa Mendoza, Kennedy Peters, Cooper Smith, Emma Walker.
The Abilene ISD orchestra students are under the direction of the following teachers: Clack Middle School – Alex Reiff, Craig Middle School – Elizabeth Blatchley, Madison Middle School – Candice Ice, and Mann Middle School – Caitlin Clark.
Middle School Band Students Participate in Solo, Ensemble Contest
Band students from all of the Abilene ISD middle schools competed in the AISD Middle School Band Solo and Ensemble Contest held on February 23-24, 2018, at Abilene High School.
The following band students earned a first division rating on their solo:
Clack: Royce Bandora, Taylor Hodges, Carlee Mahar, and Olivia Stewart (flute); Hailey Barton, Dylan Beaver, Caden Boldenow, Blaze Carter, Grace Covington, Ali Escobar, Ximena Navarette, Ramiro Padilla, Zoe Rodriguez, and Christina Smith (clarinet); Travis Fain, Isiah Lima, and Jayce Mata (alto sax); Jack Sommers (bassoon); Sylvia Cabel, Jonathan Carranza, Jacob Harper, Nathan Limones, Israel Martinez, Neaven Roberts, Alex Russell, Selena Segura, and Caden Simpson (trumpet); Maleah Hudson (horn); Keairan Thompson (trombone); Ethan Echols, Jason Reid, and Bryan Rowley (euphonium); Ryan Mata, Devonte Russell, Rodney Allen, Marcus Flores, Jeremyah McBride, Marcus Ramis, Rolando Serrano, Luke Smith, Kadence Stutts, and Travis Waters (percussion).
Craig: Alexia Smith, Molly Daugherity, Essence Johnson (flute); Jacob Spell Isaac Trinidad, and Samuel Brooks (bassoon); Karissa Ward and Jerry O’Hearn (clarinet); Courtney Molina (alto sax); Khushi Bhakta and Dawon Mullins (trumpet); Brooke Garduno, Micah George, and Hailie Seale (horn); Joshua Mayor (trombone); Tate Eller, Nathan Wilson, Zachary Garcia, Owen Horn, and Gabriel McCracken (percussion).
Madison: Lilly Choang and Maylie Kidd (flute); Jaime Herrera and Eddie Stefan (clarinet); Sebastian Tardiff (bassoon); Morgan Kruse and Kendryek Hopkins (alto sax); Emma Martinez (trumpet); Julianne Ballaro, Meredith Clancy, and Paige Greenwood (horn); Jarred Rafan and Bryce Cowan (trombone); Duncan Lucas (euphonium); John David King (tuba); Trevor Cox, Kai Rosario, and Michaela Huffman (percussion).
Mann: Jenamiah Perez (flute); Kaci Cramer and Reese Rolan (clarinet); Zane Barrett and Adrian Fowlkes (trumpet); Ben Jeter (trombone); Marcus McBeth (tuba); Zoe Fowlkes (percussion).
The following band students earned a first division rating on their ensemble:
Clack: Hailey Barton, Abigail Murray, Ximena Navarette, and Ramiro Padilla (clarinet quartet); and Jacob Benson, Jonathan Carranza, Jacob Harper, Nathaniel Mendoza, and Keairan Thompson (brass quintet).
Craig: Khushi Bhakta, Kierstyn Bell, and Dawson Mullins (trumpet trio);
Mann: Kate Voss, Michael Signor, Jocelyn Sanchez, and Kyla Lindley (clarinet quartet); Piper Voss, Grant Rolan, and Kate Voss (woodwind trio); Adrian Fowlkes, Michael Escobedo, Chance Lawrence, Finn Voss, and Gustavo Marquez (bass ensemble); Savanna Lee, Addyson Findley, and Britton Sechrist (horn trio)
AISD bad students are under the direction of the following teachers: Clack Middle School – Pearl Gonzales, Craig Middle School – Wayne Winner, Madison Middle School – Paula McGrew, and Mann Middle School – Mary Withers.
