On Mon., Dec. 9, multiple students in the band program competed in Anna against around 20 area schools for a spot in the Association of Texas Small Schools Band (ATSSB) Region 24 All-Region Band. At the end of the day, a record number of 37 students earned a chair in the group and 18 of those students advanced to the Area competition.

All 37 students will attend a two-day clinic Jan. 17-18 at Anna High School and perform a free concert for the public on Jan. 18 (time TBD).

Melissa High School All-Region Band students include Daria Stepanova, Reagan Jones, Emma Stern, and Autumn Bell on flute; Emma Piyakhun on principal oboe; Brianne Finnell, Eric Provost, Alex Wilson, Chioma Dimpka, Sydney Smith, and Macayla Brown on clarinet; Rylei Johnson on bass clarinet; Reid Minton on bassoon; Will Maberry and Isabella Giannantonio on alto saxophone; Lucas Wormington, Brandon Shadman, Bailey Butler, Benicio Gonzales, Lydia Thompson, and Christian Borges on trumpet; Kendall Meziere-Abbott, Elizabeth Shuping, and William Barton on french horn; Andon Morace, Connor Sale, Kaycee Fender, and Emma Bean on tenor trombone; William McDaniel on bass trombone; Luke Cellars and Rayven Hathorn on euphonium; Camille Bogdan and Jayden Smith on tubs; and Jack Griset, Matthew Manginelli, Katie Crouch, and Grace Moothart on percussion. Additionally, eighth grader Miranda Sirota placed on flute at the competition.

Eighteen of these students also advanced to Area and will compete in Argyle on Jan. 11 for a spot in the prestigious Texas Music Educators’ Association (TMEA) All-State Band that will perform at the annual TMEA music festival.

Melissa High School area students include Daria Stepanova and Reagan Jones on flute; Emma Piyakhun on oboe; Brianne Finnell, Eric Provost, and Alex Wilson on clarinet; Rylei Johnson on bass clarinet; Will Maberry on alto saxophone; Lucas Wormington on trumpet; Kendall Meziere-Abbott, Elizabeth Shuping, and William Barton on french horn; Andon Morace on tenor trombone; Luke Cellars on euphonium; Camille Bogdan on tuba; and Jack Griset, Matthew Manginelli, and Katie Crouch on percussion.

A total of 78 students in the Melissa Band program, grades 7-12, earned a spot in the Region 24 All-Region Band.