This year’s Killeen ISD All-State fine arts musicians and vocalists represent three high schools across six programs.
Nine KISD students are set to perform with their All-State peers from across the state at the Texas Music Educators Association annual convention February 11-14 in San Antonio.
Those high-achieving KISD musicians include the following:
ALL-STATE CHOIR:
Callie Walker (Ellison), 1st Chair Mixed Choir, Soprano 1
Benji Saban Contreras (Harker Heights), 1st Chair Mixed Choir, Tenor 1
Uriel Benitez (Harker Heights), 1st Chair Tenor-Bass Choir, Bass 2
Amani Mitchell (Chaparral), 1st Chair Mixed Choir, Alto 2
Zachary Repine (Chaparral), 2nd Chair Mixed Choir, Tenor 2
Zane Conway (Chaparral), 1st Chair Mixed Choir, Bass 1
ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA:
Alexander Kim, (Harker Heights), Viola
ALL-STATE BAND:
Hunter Emblen, (Ellison), Tuba
Reese Richardson, (Chaparral) E flat Clarinet
Ellison senior Hunter Emblen is the first Ellison representative to make the All-State Band in 21 years.
The tuba player began preparing as soon as last year’s audition was over. He rehearsed the music each month in front of different directors.
“I learned quickly it was easy to meet a plateau, and I didn’t know how to improve. I’ve played for a lot of people to improve,” including band directors for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a community band, in addition to the Ellison band and choir leaders.
“I was confident, but I was nervous,” he said of this year’s audition. “I had an expectation that I would make it. I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity. I did it. I made state. The nerves were in the room, but they also paid off.”
“It felt surreal. To be able to do this is unique. I don’t know entirely how to feel about it. Mr. (EHS Band Director Erik) Reynolds tells us to leave a legacy. I think I was able to do that. I got a lot of help and I am really grateful.”
Ellison senior Callie Walker made All-State Choir for the second time and moved up in her chair placement to first chair mixed choir soprano 1.
“It started in the summer. I started learning (the audition music) working a lot on my music.” She practiced daily in anticipation of each of the three rounds of auditions in the All-State process.
“Last year I took a bigger break. This year I didn’t take a big gap. I worked all the way through. It feels great. Even when you get it once you’re never assured to get it again. It’s a privilege every time. It’s a privilege to get it twice.”
“There was a little pressure because I had that standard set. I didn’t want to regress. (I thought), ‘Hopefully, I’ll make a step up,’ and I was able to do it.”
Harker Heights High School senior Alexander Kim is KISD’s lone representative this year in the All-State Orchestra. The viola player made the top orchestra for the third time.
“I showed improvement. It’s nice to see the payoff. I just practice. That’s the only way.”
After starting with the violin, he shifted to the viola, a sound he prefers. “It’s a lot of work. If you listen to a song, there are parts you can do differently. You take up music in your own way. You can interpret it. Everyone has their own style, and you can incorporate your preferences.”
He looks forward to returning to TMEA, to see friends from other schools at the high end of orchestra performance.
Harker Heights senior Benji Saban Contreras made All-State Choir for the fourth year. He is first chair tenor 1 in the mixed choir.
“It’s just so exciting. It’s a goal I’ve been working toward for years. It feels fantastic. This year I continued private voice lessons and going to camps across the state. I did a lot of traveling and a lot of practice.”
“I’m so stoked,” he said of returning to the state convention to practice and perform among the best high school voices in the state.
Harker Heights senior Uriel Benitez earned first chair in the tenor-bass choir, his first time to make the All-State Choir.
“It was really exciting. I’ve never made it past pre-area. When I figured out I made it I was really happy. I was shocked. I had to go back and ask what chair I got.”
Other than preparation camps at KISD and at UMHB, Benitez didn’t travel far to build his skills. He did meet with a voice coach. “I put a lot more work into the songs and trusted my voice more. I grew more confident in myself and in my abilities.”
Chaparral seniors Amani Mitchell, Zachary Repine and Zane Conway all returned to the All-State Choir.
Repine, second chair tenor 2 in the top mixed choir, is a three-time All-State member.
“It feels great. Freshman year I told myself I was never going to not make it again,” he said. “I did it the same every year.” He practiced repeatedly with various directors and found there was always something he could improve.
“The mixed choir is amazing. Everyone is super loud and super good. When you listen to the recording, you just say, ‘Wow, I was a part of that,’” he said of the chance to perform with his All-State peers at TMEA in San Antonio.
Mitchell and Conway both earned All-State choir honors for the second straight year.
“Honestly, I was in shock when I found out and I started crying,” said Mitchell, acknowledging that she heaped pressure on herself to repeat her All-State performance of a year ago.
“If I didn’t make it this year, it would be disappointing,” she said. “It’s going to be even better this year with the songs we have. I’m excited to meet new people and to see old friends.”
“It was good,” said Conway. “I practiced a lot after school (with multiple directors). It helped calm my nerves and helped me know ‘I am able to do it.’ It’s just a process now.”
“It’s thrilling. Last year when I made the tenor-bass choir, it was a good choir. This year, with a bigger choir it will be great to perform with people my age and great friends.”
Chaparral High School junior clarinetist Reese Richardson earned a seat in the All-State Band as a clarinetist for the second straight year.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720331580888