Incarnate Word Academy band and choir at state music championships

IWA band and concert at state competition.

The Incarnate Word Academy High School band and choir are headed to Belton, Texas on Thursday, March 27, to compete in the TAPPS State Music Championships.

The high school level cheerleaders, along with administration, faculty, staff and parents were on hand to cheer on members of the band and choir at 8:15 a.m. before they left for their trip to the state championship. Cheerleaders led a parade through the hallways where the band and choir were met with cheers and well wishes from their classmates and teachers. Before boarding the bus, they were led in prayer by IWA Campus Minister Sister Rosa Ortiz.

The TAPPS State Music Championships are March 28-29, at the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor and First Baptist Church in Belton.

“The students are excited about competing at state,” IWA Band Director Joe Hernandez said.

Before qualifying for the TAPPS State Music Championships, the IWA Music Department received superior ratings in concert band, concert sight-reading, medium wind ensemble and choir with a grand total of 455 points at the TAPPS Regional Music Meet on Feb. 28.

In addition, 10 students received superior ratings and three students received excellent ratings in the instrumental solo category, and eight students received superior ratings and one received an excellent rating in the vocal solo category. Receiving a superior rating were the choir, concert band, concert sight-reading and medium wind ensemble.

Receiving a superior rating in instrumental solo were: clarinet, Delayna Ramirez and Shelby Saenz; flute, Luz Fernandez and Mamiko Hosoe; piano, Hank Carrillo and Sean Dinh; snare drum, Evan Buhidar, Loc Nguyen and Sam Lathrop; and trumpet, Harmon Dobson. Receiving and excellent rating in instrumental solo were Aaron Benavides for saxophone and Jurnee Simpson and Bo Gilmore on trumpet.

Receiving a superior rating on vocal solo were McKinna Gourley, Caitlyn Hornsby, Theresa Lopez, Kristian Lopez, Caitlyn Martinez, Victoria Peña, Meri-Ashton Van Winkle and Ginger Villarreal. Julia Spencer received an excellent rating in vocal solo.