This past weekend our students competed with some of the best musicians in Texas in their Region Band auditions. Everyone on each particular instrument plays the same three college-level pieces and are judged by a panel of five directors and professionals. Students all over the state have worked on this music since late July (yes, even during marching season). It takes a great deal of talent and dedication to succeed in this arena. The McNeil Band tied our school record from last year of 32 students auditioning into the Region Band. Below are the results.  Those who advanced to Area will compete with students from here to Dallas and Lufkin in January for a spot in an All-State ensemble. Here are some points of note:

• We have one of the smaller band programs in the region with some being 50% bigger to more than twice as big.
• We have 12 students advancing to Area, which is the 2nd most of any school.
• We have the 2nd highest percentage of students in the program earn a spot in the Region Band.
• We have around 70% of our musicians learn this college-level music and audition! This is the highest percentage for any program.

We talk a lot about swinging above our weight class and our students continually succeed at these higher levels because of their determination and commitment to success. Preparing for this audition is the most important way to have a successful year and all of the students who attended the audition are helping the program, as well as their own musicianship. Please congratulate these students when you see them.FYI, the Symphonic Band is the top group and the Concert Band is the 2nd group. Students who did well but fell just short of making one of these performing groups are in the District Band. The Region Band Clinic and Concert is January 24-25 at Weiss HS. Students who made a Region Band must attend and those who were close should keep it available because there will be students from other schools who cannot attend.Christina J (9) - Flute - 4th chair Symphonic Band (2nd chair Region Orchestra) ADVANCED TO AREACarissa K (9) - Flute - 6th chair Symphonic Band ADVANCED TO AREADavid R (11) - Flute - 9th chair Symphonic BandCeleste D (12) - Flute - 10th chair Symphonic BandMiranda C(12) - Flute - 8th chair Concert BandSanskrithi K(12) - Flute - 9th chair Concert BandElizabeth B (12) - Flute - 2nd chair District BandEvelyn T(11) - Oboe - 1st chair Concert Band (3rd overall) ADVANCED TO AREADade O (12) - Oboe - 1st chair District Band (5th overall) (2nd chair Region Orchestra) ADVANCED TO AREAJimmy O (12) - English Horn - 1st chair Concert Band (2nd overall)Aidan J (12) - Bassoon - 2nd chair Symphonic Band ADVANCED TO AREA Caden M (12) - Bassoon - 3rd chair Symphonic Band  ADVANCED TO AREAErin M (10) - Eb Clarinet - 1st chair Concert Band (2nd overall)Wesley W (11) - Bb Clarinet - 5th chair Symphonic Band (4th chair Region Orchestra) ADVANCED TO AREAJunha K (11) - Bb Clarinet - 8th chair Symphonic Band ADVANCED TO AREAAustin L (12) - Bb Clarinet - 12th chair Symphonic BandFaith K (11) - Bb Clarinet - 16th chair Symphonic BandEmily D (11) - Bb Clarinet - 4th chair Concert BandJacob C(11) - Bb Clarinet - 1st chair District BandAnna B (9) - Bb Clarinet - 6th chair District BandShravan R (12) - Bass Clarinet - 1st chair Symphonic Band ADVANCED TO AREAMegan D (11) - Alto Sax - 4th chair Concert BandNegeen V (12) - Tenor Sax - 2nd chair Concert BandChristopher O (9) - Tenor Sax - 3rd chair Concert BandArjuna M (11) - Baritone Sax - 2nd chair Concert BandEmma D (11) - Trumpet - 5th chair Symphonic Band (3rd chair Region Orchestra) ADVANCED TO AREADavid H  (10) - Trumpet - 1st chair Concert BandEthan S(11) - Trumpet - 6th chair Concert BandCorbin L (12) - Trumpet - 1st chair District BandAshley H (12) - Horn - 3rd chair Symphonic Band ADVANCED TO AREA Eli C (10) - Horn - 8th chair Concert BandLucas S (10) - Horn - 4th chair District BandKim N (12) - Trombone - 2nd chair Concert BandVincent P (12) - Trombone - 3rd chair Concert BandRonald Z (10)- Euphonium - 5th chair Symphonic BandGabriella S (11)- Euphonium - 6th chair Symphonic BandMaanas S (11)- Euphonium - 3rd chair District BandAndy C (12) - Tuba - 4th chair Symphonic Band Area AlternateMax C (12) - Tuba - 6th chair Symphonic Band (2nd chair Region Orchestra) ADVANCED TO AREA