Cleburne High School’s Alonzo Gonzalez will be among the musicians performing at Tuesday’s Texas Music Educators Association All-Region Jazz Band Concert at Crowley High School.

                Gonzalez snagged third chair honors in the trumpet section among high school jazz musicians across north Texas engaged in auditions involving band programs within Region 30. This was Gonzalez’ third year to compete in the audition process.

                “I guess you could say the third time was the charm, but I think it was much more than that,” Gonzalez said. “I tried out as a freshman to see what it would be like. My sophomore year I was one spot away from making the list.”

                “Going into this year, making the All-Region Jazz Band was one of my major focuses,” he said. “To make third chair in Jazz One, which is the top band, was really exciting. Maybe it was just the right time for me. I think I tried harder this time, and I know my skill level has increased. When I saw the results, I felt all that had paid off.”

                Gonzalez was a trumpet section leader during marching season and a featured soloist in the Golden Pride’s UIL marching contest entry, “Dorothy’s Dream.” As a ninth grader new to the Pride, he was inspired by several seniors to add jazz band to his music activities.

                “I really looked up to Mason Hill, who was among the seniors in the trumpet section,” Gonzalez said. “He made the All-State Jazz Band that year, which gave me a vision for what could be achieved with hard work. He was one of those that encouraged me to try out for our high school jazz band. When I got into it, it was a blast.”

                While he’s achieved his goal of making All-Region honors, Gonzalez is far from done. He is now hard at work on the audition music for the TMEA All-Region Band, with tryouts scheduled in December.

                “I’d like to make All-Region in both bands,” he said. “I also want to build on what I achieve this year, in looking to next year and what I would like to accomplish as a senior.”

                Golden Pride Band Director Jason Jones, who also conducts the CHS Jazz Band, says he’s been impressed with Gonzalez’ talents and dedication to music since first hearing him perform as a member of the Smith Middle School band.

                “I’ve been impressed with Alonzo’s work ethic and musical abilities ever since I heard him play as an eighth grader,” Jones said. “He continues to mature as a trumpet player—and a great musician. He is very humble and constantly strives to better himself, which not only makes him a model band member, but also a model student. He is definitely the type of student that any teacher would love to teach.”

                Gonzalez says it has been a challenge to get to the level he is beginning to experience.

                “Improv is a big part of jazz—and it’s been hard for me,” he said. “But once you learn those skills and master the art of translating your ideas into music, you can do anything you want in making ‘your’ sound. That’s where I want to get with this.”

                When asked about performing on stage Tuesday night, Gonzalez says he’s pumped.

                “I have come to know those in the trumpet section—and they have so much talent,” he said. “We’re going to have a good time hanging out and playing some jazz.”