The Hays High School Band sends a dozen members forward to the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, the group including (back, left to right) Ricky Bracamontes, Colby Padgett, Will Poeppelmeyer, Reed Darragh, Brandon Baker, Eric Lopez (front, left to right) Matt Spong, Michael Ebbinghaus, Pedro Balderas, Christina Heinich, Paul Olguin, Ely Allen. (Photo by Tony Leflet)
STAFF REPORTS
Twelve band members from Hays High and five from Lehman High qualified to audition at the State Solo and Ensemble contest later this year. Dozens of others from both schools received Division 1 ratings at the recent regional competition.
Rebel band members who qualify for state include keyboard percussionists Ricky Bracamontes, Matt Spong, Ely Allen and Brandon Baker; snare drum soloists Reed Darragh, Eric Lopez and Pedro Balderas; Michael Ebbinghaus on alto saxophone; Colby Padgett on tuba; Will Poeppelmeyer on French horn; Paul Olguin on contra bass clarinet; and Christina Heinrich on piccolo.
Lobo band members who will advance to state competition include a saxophone quartet ensemble of Nancy Altorre, Alexander Baker, Kyron Bryant and Maria DeFillipi; and Kyron Bryant as an alto sax soloist.
The Hays High School showing was highlighted by Ely Allen, John Bowen and Tyler Cullen each auditioning with a pair of solos and scoring Division 1’s on both. Other Hays High soloists drawing Division 1’s were Mason Boitnott, Anthony Bond, Emily Briceno, Sabrina Bullock, Greg Cadenhead, Ursula Clarence, Danielle Clark, Lainey Clark, Jennifer Colonnetta, James Corbett, Jesse Crouse, Ryan Edgel, Madeline Finchum, Tayler Fitzgerald, Cailais Galbraith, William Haire, Melyssa Harvell and John Robert Hatch.
Other Hays High Division 1 soloists include Porter Hehr, Kathryn Herrington, Leah Hixon, Megan Hudgins, Erin Korzeniewski, Ana Levy, Marissa Lira, Casie Lomeli, Ashley Loosier, Reese Martin, Tania Maya, Tyler McComb, Rachel McManus, Tanner Murphy, Halah Olvera, Amanda Pettit, Paty Ponce, Aubrey Reiner, Sarah Reyes, Ana Ritchie, Stephen Sanchez, Brittany Santo, K.V. Smith, Cole Smith, Caty Snoeberger, Chris Snoeberger, Alyssa Tenney, Cristina Tenney, Claire Vladyka, John Wallgren, Kaitlyn Williamson and Shaddi Zamrik.
In addition to their state-advancing sax quartet, the Lobos had a Division 1 flute choir, including Marissa Cherkitz, Nicole McManus, Alexis Pineda, Taiz Reuter, Melanie Whitaker and Aleah Williams. Cherkitz scored a flute solo Division 1, as well.
Other Lobo 1’s included Angela Solis, Carissa Bishop, Elisa Rose, Brenda Reyes-Monroy and Kassandra Barrera on flute, Angelica Lippe on oboe, Tyler Brummel on bassoon, Andrea Rose, Cecilia Zea, Gabriel Doria, Josue Moreno and Kallie Peace on clarinet, and Angelia Mitchum and Lauren Vasquez on bass clarinet.
Other Lehman Division 1’s went to soloists Alexander (Xander) Baker and Kyron Bryant on alto sax, James Vera on trumpet, Tori Van Wart on French horn, Tyler Potter, Alexander Calte, Josh De Long and Kacy Peterson on trombone, Earl Gray, Charissa Callahan and Matthew Elkins on tuba, and Nick Limon on snare drum.
