Nine Blinn College students named to TMEA All-State Choir
Students performed at special at special TMEA Convention concert earlier this month
March 1, 2017
Nine Blinn College students have been named to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Two-Year College All-State Choir.
Sopranos Adriana Banzhof (Garland) and Carli Pritchard (League City), altos Angel Hickerson (Houston) and Chye Martinez (Port Lavaca), tenors Marlin McCleary (Fort Worth) and Aaron Harlow (Abilene) and bass Richard Gammon (Abilene), Curtis Hurst (Waller) and Emmanuel Timmons (Katy) each were named all-state. TMEA all-state recognition is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive.
“I have always wanted to perform at all-state but never thought I could until I auditioned,” McCleary said. “I have learned never to doubt myself.”
As members of the all-state choir ensemble, the students performed at a special concert held at the TMEA Clinic and Convention in San Antonio earlier this month under the direction of renowned conductor and clinician Dr. Richard Bjella, Director of Choral Studies at Texas Tech University.
“I brought nine students in for an audition in Houston and they all were chosen,” said Dr. Paulo Gomes, Director of Choral Studies. “For me as a colleague, this was a valuable experience because I was able to learn new ideas from Dr. Bjella that work with students.”
Timmons and Hickerson each were featured during the ensemble. Timmons was featured in three small solo ensembles, and Hickerson was featured in one small solo and an ensemble.
“This was a chance of a lifetime and so much fun,” Timmons said. “I tried out for all-state choir in high school and didn’t perform as well as I would have liked. My ability to read music has improved since attending Blinn and I have become a better singer.”
Blinn’s Music Department offers small classes, one-on-one attention, practical learning, and easily accessible faculty so students are actively engaged in a superior learning environment.
