Monday, May 6, 2024
The Association of Texas Small School Band (ATSSB) is pleased to announce the selection of the 2024 ATSSB All-State Band. More than 10,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in twenty-two different regions for a place in their respective all-region band. The top chairs in each region advanced to one of the five area auditions held this past weekend Jan. 6, 2024, and only 286 of these students were selected for all-state honors.
The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 7-10, 2024, and will present a concert beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in the Lila Cockrell Theatre of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio.
William Owens (Composer and Retired Educator) will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Concert Band which will premier his composition White Crow (commissioned by ATSSB for this concert). Dr. Michael Golemo (Iowa State University) will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Symphonic Band. Noe Marmolego (University of Houston) will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Jazz Ensemble which will perform at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in the Convention Center Hemisfair Ballroom 1-2. The Jazz Ensemble will premier Solstice Samba written by Aaron Lington (commissioned by ATSSB).
Wyatt Dunbar, a member of the Gatesville High School Band, was selected as a member of this band. He was chosen for this honor in competitive auditions held this year across the state at region and area levels. Wyatt is a private student of Michael Hamilton and plays percussion at school under the direction of Jose Sanchez, who is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, a 1400-member group of band directors in class 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A high schools in Texas. This is his first time performing as a member of the ATSSB All-State Band. His other interests at school include Jazz Band, National Honor Society, and UIL Academics. He is also active in church activities at Eastwood Baptist Church and enjoys competitive marksmanship and spending time with his family. He is currently a National Merritt Scholar Semi-Finalist. Wyatt plans on attending Texas A&M University in College Station where he will pursue a degree in Engineering. He is the son of Brent and Janet in Gatesville.
