A process that involved an all-region audition and an area recording, resulted in freshman Kaeon Cho, sophomore Jonathan Peng, and senior Meghan Le being named to one of the TMEA All-State Orchestras, with Le making it for the fourth straight year.

“I have an older brother who’s done the same thing too so I feel like I’m just continuing the same trend,” Le said. “The first year I felt really excited about making [an all-state orchestra] but after you do it for a while, it doesn’t feel as exciting. Either way, it feels nice to be able to make it.”

Although the audition can be compared to the jazz or concert band all-state audition process, a number of factors come into play that make the orchestra process unique.

“Making an all-state orchestra is a six month process,” orchestra director Julie Blackstock said. “Two full-length, professional-level etudes are released in May, and then they have eight orchestral excerpts that are released at the end of July. This all goes in addition to their region music that is separate, so they’re really learning three different chunks of music at one time.”

The trio of students will perform in San Antonio in February, but Blackstock says the payback goes beyond the trip.

“Everyone who auditions comes out a better musician for sure, whether they get to record for all-state or not,” Blackstock said. “These musicians are learning how to pace themselves, how to practice, and how to learn large chunks of music in a crunch period.”