On February 12th, 2019, three members of the Borger High School Choir and Band traveled to San Antonio with their directors Amy Green and Kevin Kuehler to participate in the Texas Music Educators Association and Association of Texas Small School Bands All-State honors groups.
Representing the Borger High School Choir were Frankie Barraza and Kayleigh Watkins. Both Frankie and Kayleigh performed with the TMEA Small School Mixed Choir. This choir rehearsed for the first three days of the TMEA Convention in San Antonio, TX. Their rehearsals culminated in an outstanding performance Saturday, February 16, 2019. The clinician of the TMEA Small School Mixed Choir was Dr. Jeffery L. Ames. Ames is a distinguished conductor, composer, and educator, currently serving as Director of Choral Activities at Belmont University. The choir performed nine selections on their concert including G. B. Martini’s Domine Ad Aduvandum Me Festina and three selections from Johannes Brahms’ Zigeunerlieder.
Representing the Borger High School Band was Kaleb Hughes, sophomore son of Brian and Traci Hughes. Kaleb was 9th chair trombone in the ATSSB All-State Symphonic Band. This group rehearsed three days and presented a concert on Saturday, February 16th. The clinician of the Symphonic band was Dr. Cody Birdwell, director of bands at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Birdwell earned his undergraduate degree from West Texas State University (now WTAMU) and was director of bands at Texas Tech University. The band played five selections on their concert, including On the Air by Michael Daugherty and The Pathfinder of Panama by John Philip Sousa.
These three musicians were selected by a grueling audition process that involved more than 12,000 students from Texas high schools 1A thru 4A. Only 392 musicians were selected in the TMEA All-State Small School Choir and ATSSB All-State Symphonic and Concert Bands. Thanks go to the board and administration of Borger ISD for giving these students this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
