Abilene High School and Cooper High School orchestra students competed in the University Interscholastic League Region Solo and Ensemble competition on Feb. 18, at Abilene Wylie High School, and eight AISD students advanced to the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, scheduled for May 29 at the University of Texas in Austin.

STATE SOLO QUALIFIERS:

Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo from Cooper High School were senior Keith Porter (piano), senior Kaden Miller (bass), junior Brynn Bradshaw (bass), junior Libby Herring (viola), and freshman Zoe Lopez (bass). 

Qualifying for the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest by earning a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo from Abilene High were Ethan Dunn (violin), senior Nicolas Vega (viola), and junior Trinity Bryant (bass).

CLASS 1 SOLO – 1ST DIVISION RATING:

Earning a first-division rating on a Class 1 solo from Cooper were senior Dathan Dillinger (cello), junior Derek Brindle (viola), and sophomore Jayden Palacios (bass).

Earning a first-division rating on a Class 1 solo from Abilene High was junior Zoe Prescott (viola).

CLASS 2 SOLO – 1ST DIVISION RATING:

Earning a first-division rating on a Class 2 solo from Cooper were junior Kayla Jackson (violin) and freshmen Kajal Bhujel (violin), Vorevann Seng (violin), and Krizza Verdida (violin).

Earning a first-division rating on a Class 2 solo from Abilene High were sophomore Zoe Wilson (cello) and freshman Hannah Bryant (viola), Daniel Cortinez (viola), Mary Lowe (violin), and Emily Ratliff (violin).

CLASS 3 SOLO – 1ST DIVISION RATING:

Earning a first-division rating on a Class 3 solo from Abilene High was freshman Raul Hernandez (violin).

A combined quartet from both schools performed a Class 1 ensemble and received a first-division rating. Members of the ensemble were Dunn (violin 1) from AHS, CHS senior John Tran (violin 2), and Dillinger (cello), and Herring (viola) from Cooper.

AISD orchestra students are under the direction of Fred Grigg (Cooper) and Elizabeth Blatchley (Abilene High).