On Sept. 21, the legendary Harlingen High School and Harlingen High School South Jazz Bands competed for positions in the TMEA Region 28 Jazz Band.
HHS came back with 20 students earning a chair in the prestigious ensemble.
Students, Gabby Garza earned third chair, and Kayla Juarez earned fourth chair in the Alto Saxophone section. Aaron Gonzalez earned third chair, and Serena De La Cruz earned fourth chair in the Tenor Saxophone section. In the Bari Saxophone section, Jacob Cantu earned first chair, and Josue Ayala earned second chair. Alexis Molina earned fifth chair, Faustino TJ Saenz earned sixth chair, and Krystal Moya earned tenth chair in the Trumpet section. In the Tenor Trombone section, Manuel Garcia earned seventh chair. Stephen Garcia earned first chair in the Bass Trombone section. Stephen Flores earned first chair, and Nick Canas earned second chair in the Guitar section. In the Bass section, Carter Mink earned first chair. Juan Maldonado earned first chair, and Daniel Molina earned second chair in the Piano section. In the Drums section, Israel Yanez earned first chair, Justin Torres earned second chair, Myles Rosembaum earned third chair, and Jose Godinez earned fourth chair.
Josue Ayala, student at Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy, was the only freshman to earn a chair in the Regional Jazz Band. Ayala has made history by being the first student from Dr. Cano Freshman Academy, and the only ninth grader to be selected for the ensemble.
From Harlingen High School South, Cole Allex took first chair in the Alto Saxophone section, and Derik DelaRosa received second chair. Frank Gonzalez earned first chair in the Trombone section. Alex Covarubias earned second chair in the Bass Trombone. In the Trumpet section, Ryan Mowers earned third chair in top band. In the second band Trumpet section, Anthony Perez earned second chair, and Brandon Cabrera earned third chair.
Cole Allex, Derik Delarosa, Frank Gonzalez, Alex Cobarubias, and Ryan Mowers, from HHSS, made the Area Jazz Band and will be competing for a chance to earn a spot in the TMEA All-State Jazz Band.
The Region 28 Jazz Band only selects a total of 40 students to be a part of the organization. HHS made up a majority of the band, while HHSS had six of its competitors earn a chair, and San Benito earning four.
The students competing varied in schools from Brownsville to Donna.
