It’s that time of the year when band members return from their competitions. January 9, band students headed over to Bryan in order to participate in the TMEA area auditions. Despite the nerve-wracking contests, participants overcame the anxiety to successfully achieve numerous awards.

Four students — Wheaten Wills, Annie Wang, Austin Vogelman and Cameron Schnurer — all tried out for the TMEA Area auditions and all advanced to Area. Out of the four participants, bass trombonist  Wills achieved first chair; he will be one of seven trombonists in an All-State group and is planning to audition next month at the TMEA convention in San Antonio.

“It was easier and more fun than I expected,” junior Wills said. “I wasn’t worried as much, I guess.”

For senior flutist Wang, it was a memory that will remain with her for some time.

“It was a great experience,” Wang said. “It’s nice to be exposed to different sounds of all the great flute players.”

In addition, freshman Amy Gravell participated in the RRISD Reflections contest and received a gold medal for her musical composition. Her original composed piece will not only be played by concert band sometime this year, but it will also advance to the State level of Reflections.

“I just submitted my piece into the contest to see how I did,” Gravell said. “I was pleased with the results.”