In nearly every sport, there is some type of all-star team comprised of the league’s best players, but what about band? Instead of relying on a season’s worth of opportunities, a musician’s key to getting onto the “all-star team” depends on just a minute and a half worth of music.
This year, Jesuit sent fourteen students to the competition, which, compared to the other participating schools, is a dominating number, one worthy of great praise. These musicians had to put in countless hours of hard work to reach this point.
Months ahead of their auditions, the students aspiring to get into the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Band practiced consistently in hopes to earn a chair in their section. Competition is fierce among the many students vying for only a few spots. Jesuit has participated since the inception of the band 21 years ago. In fact, Jesuit Band Director, Mr. Zane Crownover, recalls how the organization was founded in an elevator by a group of directors including Ursuline Music Director Ms. Jane Chambers.
When asked why Jesuit participates in the organization, Mr. Crownover spoke about how “encouraging the students to work on difficult music” is something that needs to happen in order for a student to become better at their craft; it is something that is needed “to challenge themselves.” He went on to stress the importance and excitement that comes from playing in a larger, more talented band.
In many ways, it can be equated to the extremely talented players on an all-star team that come together to make a whole that is greater than the
sum of its parts. It is the “pro bowl” of band, as Mr. Crownover puts it. Of course, as a director, Mr. Crownover does not participate in the band himself but receives great joy from seeing “the young members…experience the trip” for the first time, more specifically, watching their reactions as they play their first note from a band that is far greater than their own back home.
Senior Chris Lanyon has been on the trip all four years of his Jesuit career, once as a member of the loading crew and three times as a flutist. “Goofing around with people after hours” he admits is fun but the “awesome music with awesome musicians” is what makes the trip worth striving for. Recounting all his memories from the four trips, Lanyon can only say that “it’s a great experience and I’m glad I got to partake in it.”
After his years at All-State Band, Lanyon is glad to have collected all the small bits of advice to bring back to the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band in hopes of helping his peers improve as he did. Remembering this last year specifically, he claims this trip, and All-State Band in general, was one of his “best high school experiences.” Additionally, he shared that “I’ve made a lot of friends in the band…and it was great to see them and be with them one last time.”
But following in the steps of Lanyon comes the next generation of All-State-ers! Freshman Daniel Ritter, a bassoon player, made the cut for the prestigious band which, being his first time auditioning, is impressive. He has, however, had experience with this sort of thing in the Coppell All-City Band. Calling it “more of a step up” from normal band, Ritter prefers the faster movement of practices and overall professionalism of more exclusive bands which made him very much look forward to All-State.
As to be expected, Ritter says it was great to see “motivated people” play together in a “high quality ensemble” to produce results in a timely manner. The musical side of the trip, however, may have been overshadowed by the excursion to San Antonio’s River Walk where there were no “chaperones tailing” or check-ins looming. “Not many trips allow as much freedom as this one did.”
As another All-State trip passes, seniors bid farewell whereas freshmen say ‘hello’ to the trip that has developed musical careers, created lasting friendships, and taught countless lessons. Whether it be All-State Band or the All-Star Team, one should always strive for the pinnacle of his/her talent. In this quest for excellence, you will not only perform with the best of the best, but you will also have fun with the people who share your passion, and you will be able to bring back valuable information to your sect of the Jesuit community.
