Several Greenhill Upper School band students recently participated in auditions for the Association of Texas Small School Bands and the Texas Private School Music Educators Association. Through these auditions, students earned chairs in regional and state-level bands. 

Ten students earned chairs in the ATSSB Region 24 Band, and six students are advancing as Area candidates, qualifying them to audition for the All-State Band in San Antonio: 

Senior Rachel Jiang – Flute – First chair Symphonic Band – Area candidate 

Sophomore Deniz Ozturk – Clarinet – Third chair Symphonic Band – Area candidate 

Sophomore Evan Tsai – Clarinet – 8th chair Symphonic Band – Area candidate 

Freshman Anderson Tsao – Clarinet – 11th chair Symphonic Band – Area candidate 

Junior Collin Sun – Bassoon – first chair Symphonic Band – Area candidate 

Senior Brian Chao – Percussion – 8th chair Concert Band – Area candidate 

Freshman Abe Glazer – Trumpet – 11th chair Symphonic Band 

Freshman Ansh Verma – clarinet – 8th chair Concert Band 

Senior Sanay Nesargi – bassoon – first chair Concert Band 

Freshman Kevin Kim – alto saxophone – second chair Concert Band 

Jiang, Ozturk, and Sun successfully earned chairs in the ATSSB All-State Band and will attend the TMEA Convention in San Antonio from Feb. 11–14. They will perform in a concert on Feb. 14 at the Lila Cockrell Auditorium.  

At the TPSMEA All-State Band, seven students earned the following chairs and will perform in January at the Eisemann Center in Richardson: 

Jiang – first chair flute 

Sun – first chair bassoon 

Nesargi – 4th chair bassoon 

Ozturk – 8th chair clarinet 

Tsai – 10th chair clarinet 

Kim – second chair alto saxophone 

Glazer – 6th chair trumpet 

Additionally, Sophomore Aanya Krishnakumar and Chao were selected to perform with the TPSMEA North Region Band in a concert in February at Greenhill. 

“I practice every day,” Jiang said. “Preparing well and knowing the pieces helps me with my nerves so I can perform at my best.” 

Jiang will receive special recognition and a $2,000 scholarship for qualifying for the ATSSB All-State Band for three or more consecutive years in high school.  

“This year was high stakes for me,” Ozturk said. “I was close to making it last year and making it this year was a relief.” 

Earning a chair this year allows Ozturk to begin working towards the $2,000 scholarship like Jiang at the end of his high school band career.