McAllen ISD middle school students took the most spots (39) of any school district following virtual auditions in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region XV Middle School Region Orchestra.
The 39 students represent more than one third (36%) of all available seats. McAllen ISD’s Cathey Middle School led all campuses with 24 students selected, easily outdistancing the next closest school which had 11.
“Our middle school students were outstanding,” Jim Egger, McAllen ISD’s Director of Fine Arts, said. “Congratulations to these amazing musicians and their dedicated orchestra teachers.”
Here is a breakdown for McAllen ISD’s students:
Cathey Middle School (24): Violin – Adrienne Garcia, Hao Hua Wong, Taylor Anzaldua, Alejandro Salgado, Izabella Rodriguez, Kennedy Kaiser, Linette Alegre Velazquez, Bella Mireles and Desiree Hinojosa; Viola – Aaliyah Alfaro, Kaindan Garza, Aeris Williams, Joaquin Sanchez, Mary Vallejo, Nicholas Vallejo, Abrihet Ayala, Ariana Garcia and Sebastian Mercado; Cello – Isabella Trevino Strack, Luna Cuevas, Leo Villarreal, Jonathan Cuellar and Madelyn Rivera; Bass – Neveah Marks
Morris Middle School (7): Violin –Christopher Ham, Isabella Sanchez-Wong, Valeria Garza, Gerardo Villarreal and Ezra Cavazos; Cello – Matthew Sauceda; Bass – Blake Braden
Fossum Middle School (6): Violin – Jose Guerra, Joaquin Camacho, Aspen Reyes; Viola – Sarai Garza (First Chair) and Julian Davila; Cello – James Carpenter
De Leon Middle School (2): Violin – Daniel Alvarez; Cello – Ricardo Guajardo
McAllen ISD has been named a national Best Community for Music Education eight years in a row.