Seven SSHS Band Members Qualify for State Competition Following Regional Solo and Ensemble Contest

Nineteen Wildcats Band soloists and a trio ensemble earned a first division rating at the UIL Region Solo and Ensemble Contest held Friday at First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs.

State qualifiers included soloists senior Celeste Leeds-Laliberte on piccolo and flute, Elizabeth Lopez on flute, senior Natalie Cruz on bass clarinet, sophomore Blaine Mitchell on percussion and the ensemble clarinet trio of Kate Flores, Elizabeth Vega and Alondra Santillan. Four students and an ensemble qualified for state competition in Austin in late May.

Others earning first division ratings for solos were Kaitlyn Ferrill and Maddelyn Holt on flute, Carissa Carter, Kate Flores, freshman Cameron Beard, Diana Herrera and Alondra Santillan on clarinet, sophomore Nathan Braddy and sophomore Adam Ost on trumpet, Peyton Baugh, sophomore Zachary Phillips and freshman Galilea Sosa on French horn, freshman Anthony Arroya on trombone and freshman Matthew Harper and sophomore Ty Connally on percussion.

Texas A&M-Commerce has hosted the event the past few years but they were unable to do so this year. After the regional executive director put out an all call for a host site, Wildcats Band Director Charles McCauley agreed to host the event at First Baptist Church. McCauley said everything went well. He said judges and band directors were very complimentary.