Submitted report
So many times we do not have the time or opportunity to appreciate or acknowledge a student who is the “runner up” or the “alternate” since they did not get to stand on the podium, receive a medal or participate in the final activity. However it is important to recognize the accomplishments along the way and to also give credit for the efforts and hard work taken to reach that point. This is the case for Lehman High School band senior Madison Batman. Being a member of a Texas All-State Ensemble is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. On the weekend of Jan. 9 during the TMEA Area Auditions, which were held at the University of Texas, Madison was selected as an alternate French Horn for the Texas All State Band through a process that began with over 64,000 students from around the state vying for a coveted seat in an ensemble. This competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 28 TMEA Regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their region to compete against musicians from other regions in seven TMEA Area competitions. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in a TMEA All-State music group. It is an honor to reach the region level, an extreme honor to reach the area level and the highest honor to reach the state level and missing that highest honor by one still places Madison in the top 5% of student musicians in the state of Texas and is worthy of numerous accolades! Congratulations on representing Lehman HS and Hays CISD in such an outstanding fashion.
