From Feb. 16 to 19, music teacher associations around California will be holding an annual music conference called the California All-State Music Education Conference in Fresno, California. Chosen students from the entire state will come together to create 10 All-State Honors music groups. Three students from Aragon have been selected to perform in this event: freshman Tyler Nichols and junior Isabelle Ly for Golden State Band, and senior Kailan Bugata for High School Jazz Band.
Making it into the All-State Honors music groups requires dedication from students, who had to submit an audition and will practice for four days before the conference.
“Over the course of just one week, [the All-State bands will] rehearse for eight hours a day,” said Director of Bands Kevin Gallagher. “They’re rehearsing these groups with very famous guest conductors and directors. At the very end of the week, they put on a big performance for audience members, but also the thousands of music teachers from California, which is a fantastic experience.”
“They’re rehearsing these groups with very famous guest conductors and directors”
The payoff for this practice is the CASMEC conference, which will primarily focus on student performances.
“[The conference] is not only a set of performances, but also educational sessions for the teachers,” Gallagher said. “There is also a big conference [where] vendors will come from all over the country to sell their educational products, music and instruments. It’s a huge event.”
As a teacher, seeing one’s own students involved in an event like this is exciting.
“It’s very encouraging,” Gallagher said. “I feel honored that our students got a chance to participate. They put all the work in themselves and I’m very proud of [them].”
Some students argue that the prestige of All-State music groups should not discourage any passionate musicians from trying out.
“They put all the work in themselves and I’m very proud of [them]”
“If you feel confident playing your instrument, [All-State has] plenty of ensembles, so it doesn’t matter what instrument you [play because] anyone can probably audition for it,” Bugata said.
Profiles of each student musician chosen for the conference can be found here.
