All-State Orchestra Students Named

Stratford HS Seniors Wilson Hui (left) and Kevin Han (right) 

Photo by Texas Group Photo

Six highly talented Spring Branch ISD high school students have received the highest honor possible in the musical field: They’ve been named to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Orchestra.

Cellist Tiffany Hu of Memorial High School was selected for this honor for the fourth consecutive year. Violist Catherine Cai, a junior at Memorial, has been selected for a third consecutive year.

All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. Each year, more than 1,500 high school students are selected for ensembles in band, orchestra and choirs through a competitive winnowing process that begins with 50,000 or more students. Individuals begin by performing musical selections for small groups of judges.

The All-State Orchestra winners will perform at TMEA’s Convention early next year in San Antonio. The following SBISD orchestra students have qualified for All-State performances:

• Catherine Cai, Memorial High junior, viola
• Tiffany Hu, Memorial High, senior, cello
• Jonathan Keith, Memorial High, junior, bass
• Kevin Han, Stratford High, senior, cello
• Wilson Hui, Stratford High, senior, violin
• Christopher Matias Hivnor, Spring Woods High, senior, violin

In addition, Memorial High junior Meredith Aucock has been named an Alternate No. 1 in violin. If other students drop out, she will qualify to move up.

During the annual TMEA Clinic/Convention, All-State students participate in three days of rehearsals directed by nationally recognized conductors. Their performance selections are heard by thousands of attendees during the annual state gathering.

Band and choir student selections will be announced soon.

SBISD orchestra directors include Bingiee Shiu and Danielle Prontka at Memorial High; Michael Fahey and Peter Jagdeo at Stratford High; and Michael Chandler at Spring Woods High.