MPHS band members advance to UIL State Solo and Ensemble competition

• MPHS Goin’ Gold Band Solo and Ensemble State Qualifiers COURTESY PHOTO

Members of the Mount Pleasant High School Goin’ Gold Band participated in the UIL Region IV Solo and Ensemble Contest with 39 members earning 45 first division medals and advancing to the UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest. Students auditioned as a soloist and/or as part of an ensemble on Friday, February 23 at New Boston High School.

Soloists qualifying for state include Bryan Garcia (Flute), Orion Senence (Trumpet), Andy Carillo (Snare Drum), and Luke Thurman (Marimba).

The following ensembles earned a division one rating and have advanced to state: Saxophone Trio—Shpat Zeqaj, Suhey Lopez, Zoë Newman Saxophone Quartet—Shpat Zeqaj, Suhey Lopez, Zoë Newman, Julian Chancellor Clarinet Choir—Jose Fuentes, Odalys Mejia, Christopher Sorto, Araceli Solis, Cindy Valle, Diana Ramirez, Heidi Martinez, Makayla Mather, Kaylee Ramos, Andrew Perez, Neftali Gonzalez Trumpet Trio—Orion Senence, Adriel Bagsic, Sebastian Contreras Euphonium Quartet—Oscar Castellanos, Bruno Deleon, Angel Farias, Jesus Mata Percussion Ensemble—Edward Moya, Natalie Hines, Jamaree Armour, Luke Thurman, Alejandro Rosiles-Cervantes, Ethan Carillo Percussion Ensemble—Jayden Adame, Dalia Balderas, Camauri Adams, Alex Perez, Francisco Zapata, Pedro Castillo Percussion Ensemble—Armando Molina, Grace Zittel, Aaron Waldrep Senior Orion Senence and junior Luke Thurman qualified for state as both a soloist and as part of an ensemble. And seniors Shpat Zeqaj, Suhey Lopez, Zoë Newman, and freshman Pedro Castillo qualified for state as a part of two different ensembles. Additionally, three of the students qualified for state as eighth-graders including Jayden Adame, Jesus Mata, and Aaron Waldrep.

The UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest is scheduled for May 25-27 in Austin. The MPISD band program is under the direction of Dr. Theodus Luckett, Karen Luckett, Jamey Sterrett, Brian Bass, Alicia Hargett, and Sheri Sullivan.