HOPE – Five Hope High School Bobcat Band musicians qualified for Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association All-Region placement, and two of the five will advance to All-State competition.
\r\nHHS All-State eligible musicians selected included junior Brandon Gallegos, first band, 6th chair French Horn, and senior Ke’ara Key, first band 13th chair B-Flat Clarinet.\r\n
\r\nAll-Region qualifiers included sophomore Emily Garcia, second band 11th chair B-Flat Clarinet; junior Jimmy Paredes, second band 5th chair Tenor Trombone; and, sophomore T’khyah Walker, second band 8th chair B-Flat Clarinet.\r\n
\r\nHHS Bands Director Chris Davis said the five musicians experienced a first this year as the result of the COVID-19 health crisis.\r\n
\r\n“Auditions were held both at home and at school,” Davis said. “The audition dates were January 18 through 21, and because of COVID-19 everything was done with a program called Opus.”\r\n
\r\nThe predominately virtual auditions were also followed by a virtual region band clinic which featured Randall Standridge, an internationally-known composer from Arkansas.\r\n
\r\n“It was a learning experience for us as directors and the students, but we made it work,” Davis said.\r\n
\r\nHe said All-State auditions were to be conducted the week of Feb. 1-5 in a virtual format as well.\r\n
