By: Ryan Duey
After a rigorous audition process that included district-level tryouts and state tryouts two Clay Center Community High School Band students will be taking their talents to the Kansas Music Education Association’s (KMEA) 2024-25 All-State Band Concert at Century II Concert Hall in Wichita, on Saturday, March 1st.
Senior Elizabeth Larson, flute player, and senior Andy Coffman, percussionist, were picked among Kansas band students ranging from classes 1A through 4A. The seniors will join other band members from across the state for a concert during the KMEA’s annual In-Service Workshop. KMEA considers All-State band members the best Kansas has to offer.
This is Larson’s fourth year at the State Concert. This year she achieved first chair, which is the highest honor a band member can be given. Larson talked about preparing for the tryouts.
“We just practiced a lot. I did some lessons with Mrs. Thrasher working hard, practicing our skills, practicing our music, and so on. Then there was a tryout to get to District Band, if you made it to District Band, you got to try out again in January to try to go to State.”
This is Coffman’s first year at the State Concert. He achieved a highly respectable third chair position. He talked about the few days leading up to the concert.
“On February 27th, we will leave Clay Center, and we will stay in Wichita for a few days. The whole ensemble will practice on the 27th and the 28th. I don’t know if we’re practicing on the 1st, but we will be playing the concert that day.”
Director of Bands Daniela Thrasher said she is extremely proud of their hard work and accomplishments. Information on the annual All-State Band Concert can be found at https://ksmea.org/hsband/.
