Temple HS Band Places Nine on All-Region Jazz Bands

TEMPLE, Texas — Five members of the Temple High School Jazz Band will record auditions for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Jazz Ensembles later this week after headlining a group of nine THS musicians named to the TMEA All-Region 8 Jazz Band.

Temple High’s nine honorees are the most of any school in Region 8 in the 42-person All-Region band. One hundred and seventy students from nine high schools competed in multi-round auditions to earn spots in the ensembles. Students were required to demonstrate proficiency in swing, ballad, and non-swing styles found in the jazz vernacular. Students were also required to demonstrate proficient improvisational skills. The Temple High School musicians qualifying for the All-Region Jazz Band are:

Makale Edwards – 1^st Chair Alto Sax Jazz Orchestra – AREA Qualifier

Adan Torralva – 2^nd Chair Tenor Sax Jazz Orchestra – AREA Qualifier

Brayden Slay – 5^th Chair Trumpet Jazz Orchestra – AREA Qualifier

Sebastian Diaz-Campos – 3^rd Chair Trombone Jazz Orchestra – AREA Qualifier

Gray Baker – 1^st Chair Bass Jazz Orchestra – AREA Qualifier

Parker Madsen – 3^rd Chair Trumpet Jazz Ensemble

Lily Cortez – 5^th Chair Trumpet Jazz Ensemble

Bryshaun Dickson – 1^st Chair Drums Jazz Ensemble

Jaydan Bowland – 1^st Chair Bass Jazz Ensemble

Aaron McCarty was first alternate Tenor Sax and Dinah Towell was first alternate Baritone Sax.

“We are always proud of all our students who take advantage of every opportunity to better themselves as musicians,” said Marcos Duran, director of the Temple Highlighters jazz band. “The all-region auditions help aid in that process. To seat the most in our region is extra special and provides a sense of pride for our students! We are fortunate to work with a high caliber level of student and they help us become better teachers.”

The All-Region Jazz Band students will perform a concert on Saturday, March 2^nd, with guest clinicians, Dr. Benjamin Irom and Mr. Altin Sencalar. Edwards, Torralva, Slay, Diaz-Campos and Baker earned the right to audition for the All-State Jazz Ensembles. A spot in the All-State Jazz Ensembles is the highest individual honor a student can receive through the audition process. All-State Jazz results will be posted on November 14^th.