Sophomore Eldon Braza’s hands shake as he warms up in Mrs. Yates’ classroom on Saturday morning, Sept. 21; it’s the day of the All- Region Jazz Band auditions.

In front of a panel of five judges, students from all around the region (which includes 58 schools from our area) audition to qualify for area. Students that qualified will audition again in October for a spot in the All- State Jazz Band, which according to Jazz Band director, Devin Sipes, is “the highest Jazz Honor in the state of Texas.

“I am very proud of the success this past weekend,” Mr. Sipes said. “I know that we will be very successful this year, but I will make sure to push all of the students to new heights of jazz musicianship.”

Out of all of the schools that competed this weekend, and only ten instruments to compete with, seven Pleasant Grove students earned first chair (first pace) and 16 students placed in the top fifth chair for their instrument. These are your first chairs:

Eldon Braza playing the alto saxophone

Michael Marshall playing the trumpet

Luke Williams playing the tenor trombone

Jayla Tank playing the jazz guitar

Tucker Keeney playing the jazz piano

Mason Hammonds playing the drums

“I feel like I did really well at All- Region but I know All- State will be harder just because of the competition,” Eldon said. “I enjoy Jazz Band a lot though, so I’ll have fun no matter what, but the goal is always first chair.”