On March 1, many music students performed at state in Wichita. Some students were rewarded scholarships and awards.

“At state, they give out three one-time scholarships of $500 for seniors majoring in music education in a Kansas College,” senior Aislinn Walters said. “They give one out for winds/percussion, voice and strings. I got the scholarship for wind/percussion, and Shelby Matlock got the scholarship for voice.”

“This was cool because out of three scholarships, two not only came from the Northwest district, but from Hays High, and a lot of times the bigger schools like Shawnee Mission or Olathe get the most attention.”

Many of the students had a great time being surrounded by a bunch of people who have the same interests.

“This was my first year at state,” junior Benjamin Rajewski said. “I liked playing my trombone with the orchestra and my favorite piece we played was Danzon no. 2 by Arture Marquez.”

“I have been to state three times, all years I was eligible,” Walters said.  “In Kansas, you can’t audition for an All-State group as a freshman. It was pretty cool because at the concert, they announce all the three-year members and we get to stand up. Plus we get a medal, which most of us wore at the concert. Shelby Matlock and Rachael Muirhead were also three-year members.”

“Not only was the music level incredible, it was really fun to share the weekend with all my friends. I have made a lot of friends from all over Kansas from being in All-State before, plus the two other girls from Kansas who went to the All-American Bowl with me were there, so it was like a big reunion. Plus, Hays High sent more people than we have in a long time.”

The students that participated in state had to work hard but their hard work paid off by getting to participate at state.

15acossaart@usd489.com