Three Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) high school students from across the city were recently selected to perform with the All-State Concert Band or Orchestra.
Michael Cieri, Sunrise Mountain High School senior, earned a spot as the 2nd chair, 1st trumpet. Anthony Jacobs, Centennial High School junior, earned his place on the All-State Band playing the tuba. Jungin Choi, a Sunrise Mountain High School freshman, became the district’s first All-State Band orchestra player.
Being selected as an Arizona All-State musician is a detailed two-step process. Students must first audition for one of the seven regions across the state in an intense rehearsal process that culminates in a final concert. If they are selected as a Regional musician, they become eligible to audition again as an Arizona All-State musician. Students then work on their performance music before attending a two-day festival working with national clinicians.
“The All-State Festival represents the highest level of musicians across the state who go through a rigorous process to be selected as part of the ensembles,” shares Robert Panzer, PUSD director of Arts Education. “We are incredibly proud of the students selected for this opportunity, as well as the peers, mentors, and directors who helped them get to this prestigious place.”
