Record Number of Belton ISD Students Selected for All-Region Jazz Band
A record 16 students from Belton High School and Lake Belton High School were selected for the Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Jazz Band after auditioning earlier this month.
The schools claimed the top two spots for individual schools with the most students being selected for the band. Nine of the students were also selected as Area qualifiers and will audition for the All-State Jazz Band.
“I’m thrilled about their success,” said Keith Zuehlke, director of fine arts. “It speaks highly of our students — their talent and dedication — and very highly of our band staff and the job that they do.”
The district implemented jazz bands in each of the four middle schools about three years ago, which gives musicians a head start on learning the intricacies of playing jazz music, Zuehlke said.
“I can’t say enough about our directors and the work they’re putting in,” Zuehlke said about Chris Kreger at BHS and Jacob Guerrero at LBHS. “They’re preparing these kids in middle school to complete well at the high school level.”
The students will participate in a music clinic and performance on Nov. 19 at Temple High School.
Selected students from Belton High School are: Sam Fothergill, Autumn Madetzke, Pablo Ureste, Alicia Osborn, Colby Franklin, Colter Boethel, Diego Santiago-Cruz, Duncan Lancaster, Damien Swift and Marshall Blazier.
Selected students from Lake Belton High School are: Jason Janczak, Jonathon Crow, Thomas Pacheco, Levi Dale, Jayden Guajardo and Ethan Suarez-Camacho.
Students advancing to the Area round are: Fothergill, Madetzke, Ureste, Boethel, Santiago-Cruz, Lancaster and Swift from BHS; and Janczak and Pacheco from LBHS.