More than 50 Abilene ISD Fine Arts students earned either a gold or silver medal on May 29 at the UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest at the Butler School of Music on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin and various Pflugerville ISD campuses.

Band, choir, and orchestra students from Abilene High School and Cooper High School competed in the event. Performers who earned a first division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo and ensemble were honored with a gold medal, and those who earned a second division rating on a Class 1 memorized solo were honored with a silver medal.

Leading the way for the AISD contingent were Cooper band percussionist Aaron Brokovich and Abilene High choir soloist Hope Arrazola, who earned Division 1 gold medals and were named the Outstanding Performer for each of their contests.

Brokovich, the Salutatorian of the ATEMS Class of 2023, is believed to have become the first AISD student to become a two-time winner of the prestigious Outstanding Performer award. He received a Division 1 rating last year on the marimba and repeated as a gold medalist at this year’s contest for his performance of “Wind Across Mountains” on the marimba. Brokovich was also an All-State Band member and was named a Texas Music Scholar.

Arrazola, who received a Division 1 rating as a sophomore in 2022, received another Division 1 rating, gold medal, and Outstanding Performer recognition for her vocal solo performance of “Automne.” Arrazola was also an All-State Choir member in 2022-23 and was named a Texas Music Scholar by the Texas Music Educators Association.

The Abilene High band, orchestra, and choir combined to bring home six gold solo medals, 30 silver solo medals, and 10 gold ensemble medals. The Cooper band, orchestra, and choir combined to earn six gold solo medals, 29 silver solo medals, and 18 gold ensemble medals.

Approximately 20,000 students participated at sites in Austin and Pflugerville during Memorial Day weekend. Of those competing, roughly five percent earn a Division 1 rating and a gold medal. Of the 1,000 students who earned a Division 1 rating on their solo, 295 were chosen as Outstanding Performers, representing 1.5 percent of the 20,000 participants. 

The following students received a Division 1 solo rating and a gold medal:

Abilene High School band – Isaac Trinidad (bassoon) and Renee Barber (clarinet). 

Abilene High choir – Izayah Jaramillo, Ethan Robertson, Paradice DeMartini, and Hope Arrazola.

Cooper band – Aaron Reece (French horn) and Aaron Brokovich (percussion-marimba)

Cooper choir – Aaricka Fullam, Ian Martin, and Mathis Kanda, 

Cooper orchestra – Libby Herring (viola).

The following students received a Division 1 ensemble rating and a gold medal:

Abilene High band – Julia Chambers, Duke Decker, Brady Lambert, Jackson Liske, Benjamin Neie, Mattie Spaulding, Samuel Thomas, Mallory Traylor, Zachary Vann, and Nathan Wilson (percussion).

Cooper band – Jonathon Carranza, Derek Crespo, and Ian Quinn-Wells (trumpet); Coen Alexander, Bryant Campbell, Micah Gonzalez, Mia Grant, DeAngelo Johnson, Kason Rosario, Rolando Serrano, and Ben Weems (percussion); Aaron Brokovich, Chandler Dooley, Bracken Foster, Max Parker, Kai Rosario, Davian Sansom, and Logan Wyatt (percussion).

Cooper choir – Adam Gutierrez, Logan Hamilton, Kayleigh Henry, Jordan Hernandez, Emily Mitchell, Tristan Sanchez, Lauren Valentine, and Kyler Wheeler.

The following students also medaled, receiving a Division 2 solo rating and a silver medal:

Abilene High band – Sydney Spell (clarinet), Lianna Pfrimmer (French horn), Anson Cobarruvias (trombone), Mallory Traylor (percussion-keyboard), and Nathan Wilson (percussion-keyboard).

Abilene High choir – Aiden Schwartz, Hannah Bryant, Natalie Hancock, Sam Pinson, Caitlyn Bowman, Emma Elliott, Baylee Barnes, Bailey Hinds, Cierra Brown, Mary Lowe, Olivia Horn, Nolan Sullivan, Mattie Spaulding, Shelby Anders, JC Enriquez, Bradie Flores, Arabella Marz, Carrie Mercer, and Mira Savage.

Abilene High orchestra – Trinity Bryant (bass)

Cooper choir – Amelia Rockett, Hannah Reid, Julie Bewane, Nick Rodriguez, Deori Newman, Jasiah Pequeno, Kyler Wheeler, and David Mugoya.

Cooper orchestra – Kaden Miller (bass), Bryann Bradshaw (bass), Keith Porter (piano).

The Abilene High band students are under the direction of Amber Moore, Alanna Curley, and Drew Young. The Cooper band students are under the direction of John Landin, Jessica Fox, and Patrick Stevenson.

The Abilene High choir students are directed by Wendy Weeks and Remel Derrick. The Cooper choir students are under the direction of Reece Kingcade and Josh Westman.

The Abilene High orchestra students are under the direction of Elizabeth Blatchley. Fred Grigg directs the Cooper orchestra students.