Wallace earns another trip to state

William Wallace, a member of the C.H. Yoe High School Band, has been selected to the ATSSB All-State Band for the second straight year. He was chosen for this honor in competitive auditions held this year across the state at region and area levels.

In total, 9,000 students ultimate goal is the all-state band, but only 295 will end up being selected.

“It’s a really big deal to make the all-state band,” said Yoe High band director Craig George. “Out of all the schools in our region that I saw on the area list, the majority of schools don’t have a kid that makes it. To have a student of William’s caliber make it two years in a row to represent the school is just phenomenal.”

The process of getting to the all-state band began way back before the start of the new school year. According to George, Wallace started practicing the music in the summer months and attended camps at Tarleton State and the University of Texas to begin preparation. From that point on, he continued to perfect the music with guidance from Yoe directors in addition to James Whitis, a professor of music at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Wallace, who plays the trombone, will be the only member from Cameron’s region at the concert. Students from the 1A through 4A classification compete for a spot in the band. Wallace noted that while making the band is a great personal accolade, he believes that his accomplishments and work ethic will have a positive impact on future band members.

“I believe that hard work pays off greatly,” said Wallace. “I do this not only for myself, but also try to create a true example for all the others coming into this band so we can have future success as well.”

George added that Wallace is one of the most talented and hard-working students that he has seen come through the program.

“William is the epitome of a perfect band student. He practices hours and lives in the band hall. When he has a chance, he’s always practicing. That is what it takes when you want to make the all-state band.”

When asked about making the trip back to San Antonio, the junior said he looks forward to the freedom associated with the big city along with getting the chance to represent Cameron and Yoe High School.

“You basically have San Antonio at your fingertips when you go there, and you’re allowed to do what you want when you go there. You have the sense of adulthood and you’re able to take care of yourself. You represent the school as a whole by going there, so you must have a great deal of maturity.”

About the Band and Concert

The Association of Texas Small School Bands is pleased to announce the selection of the 2017 ATSSB All-State Band. More than 9,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in twenty-two different regions for a place in their respective all-region bands. The top chairs in each region advanced to one of the five area auditions held this past weekend across the state and only 295 of these 2,222 students were selected for all-state honors.

The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals in San Antonio, Texas, February 8-11 and will present a concert beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11,2017, in the Lila Cockrell Theatre of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio.

Joseph P. Missal, Oklahoma State University, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band will premier a piece by Johnnie Vinson, commissioned by ATSSB. Jeff Gershman, Capitol University, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Concert Band. Ellen Rowe, University of Michigan, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Jazz Ensemble, which will perform at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017, in Convention Center Hemisfair Ballroom 1.