Solo and ensemble competitions, unlike many band and choir contests, focus on the individual musician more than a large group.
Pilot Point Director of Bands Dan Balkema had 37 students who have advanced to state for UIL Solo and Ensemble.
'Solo and ensemble really does help the individual player a lot,' he said. 'And, to be honest with you, I love seeing the kids work in small groups for a common goal.'
The benefit to the individuals translates to success on the full-band level, Balkema said.
'The band program really does better because of that,' Balkema said. 'Coming from solo and ensemble, we go straight into concert and sightreading, where they're helping individually, learning their music.'
Neila Scott was one of the many freshmen who earned a trip to state.
'Being able to go to state my freshman year was a really great experience,' she said. 'I feel as though it really helped me to learn responsibility, teamwork, communication, having to come together as a team to practice and to further our understanding of music together without too much outside influence,' she said.
Scott, who plays trumpet, was part of two ensemble groups, qualifying for the state contest with both.
One of the soloists performed not with an instrument, but with her voice.
'Not having the formal choir [program] was hard, but I was blessed to have really great directors and a great support system that helped me achieve my goal,' she said. 'And it meant a lot that I was able to represent my school in such a light, especially with the choir program— there's only one of me.'
Katy Delgado moved into Pilot Point High School for her sophomore year, and she was sad to find there was no formal choir program, but Balkema worked with her to keep her music knowledge growing at school.
'She's actually in our drumline this year,' Balkema said. 'She was one of our bass drummers in the drumline this year, and she's continued her musical journey through that way, and then on the side, she takes lessons privately for vocal.'
He's excited that Delgado has the goal of becoming a music educator.
'She's been a joy to have,' he said. 'Her talent is incredible, especially on the vocal side.'
The point is 'giving opportunities' to his students, Balkema said.
'Our job, no matter what, we're guiding on a musical path, whether it's instrumental, whether it's vocalist, giving them the opportunities is needed,' Balkema said.
The Pilot Point High School students who went to state based on their solo and/or ensemble performances were Jayden Adams, senior, second year making state; Deborah Akindele, freshman; Alyssa Alanso, freshman; Alex Ascencio, freshman; Alex Castillo, senior, second year making state; Angel Garcia, sophomore; Daniel Chavez, freshman; Delgado, junior, second year making state; Ella Eiter, freshman; Allison Garcia, freshman; Autumn Gurney, senior, third year making state; Ali Hernandez, sophomore; James Hernandez, senior; Jillian Hernandez, sophomore; Ruben Juarez, junior, second year making state; Braelynn Keith, sophomore, second year making state; Deaken Kizer, junior; Jason Knight, senior, third year making state; Yeneby Labrada, junior; Rylee LeMarr, senior; Carisgray Lucas-Lopez, junior; Brooklyn Murr, freshman; Jackson Norris, junior; Zach Owen, freshman; Kylee Owen, junior; Javier Ramos, freshman; Allesandro Sarabia, senior, second year making state; Justin Schmidt, freshman; Scott, freshman; Hunter Sippl, freshman; Leah Tavera, freshman; Andrea Trejo, sophomore, second year making state; Nazereth Valesquez, sophomore; Kennedy Wall, junior; Caide Ware, senior; and Josiah Young, freshman.
