Secondary students selected for All-State Ensembles
From left: Jessica Treat, MCMS Band Director; Dr. Cory Gibson, USD 232 Superintendent; Hank Myers; McKinley Finan; Logan Broxterman; Sebastian Meneses; Blake Storm; Drew Villaca, MCMS Choir Director
A total of 17 students from Mill Creek Middle School, De Soto High School and Mill Valley High School were recognized at the USD 232 Board of Education Meeting on Monday, April 7 for being selected for an All-State Ensemble. Each student received a certificate of achievement from the Board of Education.
Each year, student musicians throughout the state of Kansas have the opportunity to audition to perform at District Festivals and at the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), In-Service Workshop. The audition process begins at their own school, progresses through their KMEA District Organization and culminates with selection to the All-State ensembles.
In many ways, this is competition is the performing arts version of State Titles. The state of Kansas is divided into district areas, with USD 232 being part of the East Central District. Student musicians have the opportunity to audition to perform in choirs, concert bands, jazz bands and orchestras.
Students are selected via a rigorous audition process that starts at the district level. Students who perform at the district level are then eligible to audition for selection to the All-State instrumental ensembles. Thus, the All-State student musicians are truly among the best in Kansas and had opportunity to perform
with their peers in State Group performances.
From left: Dr. Cory Gibson, USD 232 Superintendent; Matthew Barber; Savannah Hendry; Nick Maskil; Sophie Hull; Keegan Flynn; Matt Bradford, DHS Band Director; Mindy Fry, DHS Choir Director. Not pictured – Fin Smajda
Due to the number of USD 232 students with All-State designations, student recognitions will be divided over two Board of Education meetings. Students from Lexington Trails Middle School will be recognized at the Board of Education meeting scheduled for May 5.
Congratulations to these fine musicians!
From Mill Creek Middle School:
- Sebastian Meneses, KCDA Treble Honor Choir
- McKinley Finan, KCDA Treble Honor Choir
- Blake Storm, All-State Middle Level Band
- Logan Broxterman, All-State Middle Level Band
- Hank Myers, All-State Middle Level Band
From De Soto High School:
- Matthew Barber, All-State 5/6A Band
- Fin Smajda, All-State 5/6A Band
- Sophie Hull, All-State 5/6A Band
- Nick Maskil, All-State Orchestra
- Keegan Flynn, All-State Orchestra
- Savannah Hendry, All-State Treble Choir
From left: Dr. Cory Gibson, USD 232 Superintendent; Zane Lauer; Brayden Evans; Lilly Schleicher; Josey Crossley; Lacy Jennings; Deb Steiner, MVHS Band Director; Laura VanLeeuwen, MVHS Choir Director. Not pictured – Graham Anderson
From Mill Valley High School:
- Josey Crossley, All-State Mixed Choir
- Lacey Jennings, All-State Treble Choir
- Lilly Schleicher, All-State Treble Choir
- Brayden Evans, All-State Jazz Band
- Zane Lauer, All-State 5/6A Band
- Graham Anderson, All-State Orchestra