Cleburne High School band and choir students made some major music at Saturday’s UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, reflected in award-winning performances.

                Achieving Gold medals in solo competition are band members George Alazar (bassoon), Sophie Auvenshine (horn) and Kassandra Martinez (flute).  Cleburne’s gold medal vocal soloists are Damson Chola, Jr. and 2023 graduate Madi Munn.

                This was Munn’s second year to advance to the UIL Texas State Voice Contest with a solo. She made it a goal to hit all the right notes in her final year of high school choir competition.

                “I felt I came away with an average score at state last year—and didn’t like it,” she said. “I pushed myself this year. Achieving a gold medal was a goal—a big goal. After four years in choir, it is a nice ending and a great way to end my choir career at CHS.”

                Also ending their high school band careers as state gold medalists in ensemble performance are Brass Quintet members—and graduates--Dylan Branch, Kevin DeAngelo, Alonzo Gonzalez and Maryn Tennison, along with incoming senior Jason Jones, Jr.

                 State Silver Medal soloists from the Golden Pride are graduates Dylan Branch-trombone; Kevin DeAngelo-tuba; Carly Doty-bass clarinet and Alonzo Gonzalez-trumpet, along with fellow honorees Cason Arnold-saxophone; Angelina Barfield, Matthew Griffin, Logan Metts, Nathan Rodriguez, Abbie Steele, Chase Watson-percussion; Lily Fojtasek-horn and Melody Hawpe-clarinet.

                Graduates SaiAnn King and Courtney Ulrich achieved silver medals in vocal solo competition.

                One final honor can result from the Texas State Solo and Ensemble competition, with the presentation of the Outstanding Performer Awards for superior musicianship. Those awards will be announced in June.

                For Munn, her singing career is far from over. She will be attending Tarleton State University and has been selected for the TSU Chamber Choir, following auditions. She is considering a double major, reflecting her passion for choir and theater arts, as a future educator.

                “I’ve always been a choir kid from my days in elementary school,” Munn said. “I didn’t get into theater until high school. Both have had such an impact on my life. I can definitely see myself teaching high school students in either of these areas.”