Key Points
The Florida Music Education Association (FEMA) has named 43 students from 10 Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) schools as all-state musicians.
According to an ACPS press release, the students underwent a rigorous audition process this fall, where they showcased their skills through musicianship tests, scales, sight reading and prepared pieces. The students will travel to Tampa to rehearse and perform with other top musicians from throughout the state at the FEMA state conference in mid-January.
Wiles Elementary School had nine students chosen to participate in the All-State Elementary Chorus and Orff Ensemble.
According to the release, the chorus students had to perform vocal exercises, tonal melodies, sing a partner song and perform a song in Latin. The Orff musicians, meanwhile, had to perform a body percussion piece, sing a partner song and perform a prepared piece on the alto xylophone.
The release noted that the students were scored on correct notes, proper intonation, diction, rhythm, tempos, phrasing and utilizing correct vocal and playing techniques.
A full list of the ACPS students chosen as all-state musicians is seen below.
Abraham Lincoln Middle School – Todd Eckstein, Band and Orchestra Director
Xiaojia Huang (Flute) – All-State Band
Aiden Shin (Violin) – All-State Orchestra
Eastside High School – Alek Concepcion Rivera, Choral Director/Orchestra sponsor
Flora Xu (Alto) – All-State Reading Chorus
Sarah Yan (Alto) – SSAA Chorus
Alexander Hsu (Cello) – Symphonic Orchestra
Shanna Ko (Violin) – Concert Orchestra
Kimberly Oh (Violin) – Concert Orchestra
Daniel Ai (Clarinet) – Symphonic Band
Derek Ai (Clarinet) – Symphonic Band
Eva Shan (Flute) – Concert Band
F.W. Buchholz High School – Noah Graben, Band Director and Steve Couch, Choral and Orchestra Director
William Allen (Oboe) – Concert Orchestra
William Bigger (Trumpet) – Symphonic Band
Zachary Bryan (French Horn) – Concert Band
Angelina Butcher (Flute) – Concert Band
Anastasia Carmichael (Flute) – Concert Band
Haley Chance (Clarinet) – Concert Band
Brendon Gandy (Alto Saxophone) – Symphonic Band
Shawn Ma (Trombone) – Concert Band
Henry Rodgers (French Horn) – Concert Orchestra
Katie Kenny (Soprano) – SSAA Chorus
Pranay Gadikota (Violin) – Symphonic Orchestra
Fort Clarke Middle School – Chris Houze, Band Director
Izzy Bryan (Euphonium) Middle School Honor Band
Gainesville High School – Bill Pirzer, Band Director and Rebecca Ruescher, Choral Director
Adriel Tan (Clarinet) – 9-10 All-State Concert Band
Elizabeth Liu (Soprano 1) – High School Concert Chorus
Gio Malorzo (Alto 2) – Senior High SSAA Chorus
Howard Bishop Middle School – Amy Beres, Band Director
Foster Swindling (Percussion) – Middle School Honor Band
Kanapaha Middle School – Michael Loffredo, Band Director
Alex Bubenik (Euphonium) – All-State Middle School Band
Jack Ferguson (French Horn) – All-State Middle School Band
Avery Jonas (Alto Saxophone) – All State Middle School Band
Lucas Kowal (Bass Clarinet) – All State Middle School Band
Mary Anne Leko (Flute) – All State Middle School Band
Laila McCaslin (Trumpet) – All-State Middle School Band
Oak View Middle School – Lori Pirzer, Band Director
Finn Bigger (Trombone) – Middle School Honor Band
Santa Fe High School – Jacob Massena, Band Director
Leo Miller (Trumpet) – All-State Honor Band
Wiles Elementary School – Carrie Olson, Music Teacher
Mila Castineyra, Colton Pickle, Harper Riley, Elliot Shenker – Elementary Chorus
Benjamin Hu, Marissa Kizner, Violet Krzykowski, Nathanial Rowe, Aria Vidal – Elementary Orff