Being named “All State” or “Honor” is an outstanding achievement and a true testament of their skills
41 Santa Monica students were recently named to the All State and Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Honor Choir, Orchestra and Band, and to the 2023 California All State Music Education Conference (CASMEC).
“We want to congratulate the students from John Adams Middle School (JAMS), Lincoln Middle School and Santa Monica High School (Samohi) who successfully auditioned after such a challenging time during the pandemic, as well as their teachers for continuing to provide an outstanding music education that inspired their students,” said Tom Whaley, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator.
For music students, being named “All State” or “Honor” is an outstanding achievement and a true testament of their skills. Earning “All State” is considered the highest honor, representative of the entire state, while earning “Honor” is representative of regional levels. Both levels require impeccable skills and a rigorous application process. Additionally, it is possible to be named, both, “All State” and “Honor.”
In order to be named All State and Honor, music students must submit recordings of required scales and solos to their directors. The directors then submit recordings to the appropriate state level music organization. After submission, the recordings are judged by an anonymous panel of adjudicators. Only the finest students are selected All State and Honor and are invited to CASMEC.
“Auditioning for these honor groups means that these students are going beyond the classroom and working individually for the opportunity to represent Samohi at the local and state level,” said Kevin McKeown, Samohi Director of Bands. “I am so proud of all of them, including my own child who is participating in both ensembles. It’s such a special accomplishment and something that our SMMUSD community can get behind and cheer for.”
Attending CASMEC gives music students the opportunity to perform with the other students and work with nationally known guest conductors. Music educators also have the chance to attend CASMEC, as an opportunity to gain professional development and to support their students who are performing.
By Diana Bouchaaya, Communications Specialist, SMMUSD
“The reason for the success of our music students is because of our outstanding music teachers and support from our district leadership, board, Santa Monica Education Foundation and community,” said Whaley.
SMMUSD consistently sends among the highest number of participants of any school district to CASMEC and is very proud of its outstanding music program, educators and students.
Additionally, McKeown received the 2023 SCSBOA outstanding veteran teacher award, Angela Woo, Director of Instrumental Music and Chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at JAMS, was this year’s guest conductor of the High School Orchestra and John Beasley, Samohi ‘77, was the guest conductor of the SCSBOA High School Jazz Band.
For a full list of the SMMUSD All-State and Honor Choir, Orchestra and Band, visit: https://bit.ly/AllStateHonorsList2023.
