All of the hard work, memorization and dedication to music has led up to this moment. The hours spent rehearsing the same pieces over and over again have finally paid off. Select members of the band and choir were able to participate in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) convention and concerts last month.

On Feb. 7, choir and band members left to go to San Antonio to attend their TMEA convention and concerts. After three days of preparation and rehearsing, they performed together and got to add a new experience to their resumes.

“My favorite part was getting to enjoy the experience with my friends and learning along the way with them,” junior Carlos Guerrero said. “We practice so much together and we give each other tips and help each other out. It was just a big collaborative experience.”

According to junior Ryan Rios, the process of advancing to TMEA for band can be compared to running a marathon.

“I had to work hard because I knew that if I put in too much work at once I would burn out,” Rios said. “Throughout the [selection] process, I think the saxophone section helped me the most because my friends and I were super competitive and we were always driving each other to improve. Another great help during this time was the adults in the band program like my directors, especially Mr. Yee, and my private instructor Mr. McPhail, who was the real reason I kept my hard work up and improved steadily every week over the several-month-long process.”

The process of advancing to TMEA for choir members consisted of competing in the first round of region, moving on to pre-area, and competing in the area competition where they then advanced to TMEA.

“I came into the process thinking that I wouldn’t make it,” Guerrero said. “I learned that I have more ability than I thought I did. The most important thing is if you want to do something and you put your mind to it, then you can accomplish it.”

For Rios, the audition to advance to TMEA conflicted with his surprise family vacation to Hawaii, which led to him booking a flight back early.

“I didn’t want my hard work to go to waste so we booked a flight for me to get home on my own,” Rios said. “After flying home early from Hawaii, I knew I had to lock in and make the whole ordeal worth it. If I flew home early and didn’t make [it to] state that would’ve been a little sad.”

At the TMEA convention, the choir was able to rehearse together where they then performed a concert for parents and convention attendees.

“The concert weekend was the climax of the entire experience,” senior Jackson Whitmire said. “Finally getting to sing all the songs I have been learning since September with my loved ones and friends watching was the ultimate ending of the fantastic process.”

The TMEA convention allowed students from all over the state to interact and meet with other musicians. 

“My favorite part of the TMEA convention was the people that I met,” Rios said. “I met my conductor Dr. Phillips, but I also met James M. David, who composed a piece we played in our concert program. I made friends with the baritone saxophone who sat next to me for every rehearsal, and the fun we had and the connection through our instruments and hard work to get to where we were really brought us together and allowed for great memories.”

Being with different musicians from around the state can be an overwhelming experience, according to Guerrero, who got to work with Grammy winner Dr. Murdock from the University of Arkansas.

“At first it was a little intimidating because the conductors expect so much from you,” Guerrero said. “It’s an honor to be in TMEA and just knowing that and having to work with him was just a little intimidating. Moving through the process was just getting familiar with the expectations and also enjoying them at the same time.”

According to Whitmire, music is a thing that unites people together and leaves them feeling fulfilled.

“[In] sports or games people are always opposing one another and there is always a loser,” Whitmire said. “In music however, there is no loser. Just everyone working together to make beautiful music.”

For Guerrero, the entire experience and process was worth it in the end.

“It was such an amazing experience to finally be able to work together as a group from all over Texas,” Guerrero said. “ I would say it was probably one of the most magical musical moments of my life.”