The Association of Texas Small School Bands recently announced the selection of the 2016 ATSSB All-State Band. More than 9,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in twenty different regions for a place in their respective all-region bands. The top chairs in each region advanced to one of the five area auditions held this past weekend across the state. Only 290 of these 2,020 students were selected for all-state honors.
McKinney Christian Academy Junior Sara Harris was selected as a member of this band. Harris is a private student of Sherry Miller and plays clarinet in the MCA band under the direction of Ken Snow, Band Director. Mr. Snow is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, a 1,000-member group of band directors in class 1A, 2A and 3A high schools in Texas. This is Sara's first time to perform as a member of the ATSSB All-State Band. She has made the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Band three years in a row. Sara is an active member at Our Savior Lutheran Church and enjoys playing golf and soccer. Sara is a member of the National Honor Society at McKinney Christian Academy. She is the daughter of McKinney resident Salina Harris.
The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals in San Antonio, Texas, February 10-13 and will present a concert beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2016 in the Lila Cockrell Theatre of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. Stephen Pratt, Indiana University, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band will premier Resolution by Kenneth L. GrifÀn, commissioned by ATSSB to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the founding of ATSSB. Phillip Clements, Texas A&M University-Commerce, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Concert Band. The Concert Band will premiere Where Morning Dawns, Where Evening Fades by Eric Rath, the winning entry in the 2016 ATSSB Composition Competition. Dean Sorenson, University of Minnesota, will be clinician-conductor of the All-State Jazz Ensemble which will perform at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2016 in the Stars at Night Ballroom East of the Convention Center.
McKinney Christian Academy is a Christian covenant-based, independent, college preparatory Pre-K through 12th grade school. MCA exists to honor Jesus Christ by teaching students to live biblically through education of mind, body and spirit. For admission information, or to take a tour of the campus contact Melodie Bajema, Admissions Director at 214-544-2658 ext. 4325 or Melodie.Bajema@mckinneychristian.org.