Thomas County Central High School Bands program youth musicians outdid themselves, surpassing their previous year’s record at an annual music skills audition.
TCCHS students earned 75 seats (see box) on the Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Honor Bands, the most from any schools that participated in the December auditions and more than its tally from 2022. This number splits between the concert band for ninth and 10th-graders – 42 seats – and the symphonic band for 11th-12th graders – 33 seats. Some earned a seat for more than one instrument.
“To have students earn 75 spots this year, two more than the 73 we earned last year, is quite an accomplishment,” TCCHS Band Director Joe Regina said. “Both years, we have had more than twice as many students selected as any other school, so in my opinion, that kind of makes us back-to-back region champions undefeated.”
Many of these student musicians are repeaters, having earned seats in previous years. For example, senior Jenna Coaker, 17, received a seat for the sixth consecutive year. She plays the trombone.
“I wanted to audition because it helps push me out of my comfort zone, and that’s very rewarding to accomplish, no matter what the results are,” Coaker said. “I'm very grateful and blessed…. Earning a seat on this band is such a great accomplishment, as I feel it’s a reward for everyone's hard work.”
Alyssa Bradshaw, 17, values DHB and has tried out since seventh grade. As a senior, this is her last year.
“I have also made it every year I have tried out, excluding my freshman year when COVID was still a big deal,” she said. “I auditioned because I wanted to see where I placed in my section, the clarinet section, across our region.”
Then, there are newbies who more than played the right notes, like junior Levi Broome, 16, who earned a seat in the trumpet section. He auditioned for the chance to prove his worth.
“For quite a while, I doubted my ability as a trumpet player and musician because I tend to miss a lot of notes, cues, etc., so I simply wanted to prove my worth…,” Broome said. “Being accepted means the world to me, as I originally doubted my ability to make it since it was my first ever time ever trying out. I couldn’t be any more thankful that I was accepted.”
The audition process includes countless hours practicing various scales plus learning etudes or other musical selections they’ll perform before the judges on the day.
“The process is very important for students for several reasons,” Regina said. “It helps them learn the value of hard work, discipline and practice. Also, every single student grew, not only as a musician but also as a person, through this process. They learn to persevere in high-pressure situations.”
The seasoned veterans enjoy different aspects of the overall process. Bradshaw likes what follows the actual audition.
“My favorite part of the process is waiting after I auditioned outside of the audition room and cheering on the other people in my section before they audition and eating the food that the band purchased for us for lunch,” she said.
Coaker’s favorite is meeting other youth musicians from different districts, especially those who play the same instrument she does.
“It's a great way to connect and socialize with others,” she said.
Broome called the audition process absolutely nerve-racking but added that the stress was worth it.
“I’ve admittedly never felt that level of anxiety, but in the end, all the hours of practice ended up paying off, and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who tried out and more thankful for the opportunity and experience,” he said.
GMEA District 2 Honor Band will take place Feb. 9-10 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Students will rehearse with band clinicians from across the country and present a special concert during the event.
And DHB is just one of numerous activities band students commit to each year.
“I am so incredibly proud of the hard work our students put in this year,” Regina said. “While they were busy every weekend with football games, sometimes over four hours away, they still found time to do a great job in all of the other aspects of our band program, such as concerts, parades and District Honor Band auditions.”
Given the program’s consistently positive progression, Regina also has high hopes for next year’s DHB results.
“I don't know if we will be able to top this next year, but I said the same thing about last year, so who knows,” he said.
TCCHS GMEA DISTRICT 2 HONOR BAND CHAIRS
*Denotes first chair of that section
Concert Band (ninth and 10th grade)
Flute
Ayvah Kelly
Grace Nestle
Erin Lippert
Clarinet
*Emily Mainprize
Maya Williams
Taylor Vann
Mya Sherman
Timaya Smith
Kayla Bruce
Ashlyne Yates
Bass Clarinet
*Jaclyn Maxwell
Megan Shifferd
Contra Clarinet
*Jackson Carter
Alto Sax
Emily Mainprize
Tenor Sax
*Emily Baillargeon
Gracie Cook
Baritone Saxophone
Roan Adams
Trumpet
Zachary Padilla
Gabriel McGuire
Maximus Mares
Trystan Butler
Olivia Powe
Erica Khay’Yam
Jayden Fast
Evan Capistran
Horn
*Phoenix Brock
Gabriel McGuire
Allie Boyett
Royson Thompson
Trombone
Justin Barnes
Sha’leria Walker
Zavier Bristol
Baritone
*Taylor Johnson
Zyrian Clark
Tuba
*Hudson Wynn
Corey Williams
Carter Weiss
Kayin Marshall
Chandler Phillippi
Percussion
Porter Blankenship
Maston Whigham
Elizabeth Ralston
Symphonic Band (11th and 12th)
Flute
*Savana Manning
Olivia Upton
Bridgett Cook
Olivia Layne
Oboe
Megan Barnes
Bassoon
*Alley Sholar
Clarinet
Hannabelle Fulgencio
Alley Sholar
Madison Dickerson
Kaitlyn Helms
Addison James
Za’Madhia Linton
Alyssa Bradshaw
Bianca Torres
Kristen Anderson
Bass Clarinet
*Jaqueline Pacheco-Garcia
Alto Sax
Jesus Altamirano
Trumpet
*Teddy Cone
Jason Matt Bradley
Emberlynn Rowell
Julius Edwards
Levi Broome
Horn
*Dylan Thompson
Gavyn Bryant
Trombone
*Tyler Laidman
Jenna Coaker
James Butler
Bass Trombone
*Tyler Laidman
Baritone
*Tyler Laidman
Jackson Thompson
Martavian Paytee
Tuba
Ethan Mainprize
Percussion
Spencer Webb