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A pair of West High Seniors were chosen for the All-State Band.

Carter Holtmann – clarinet – and Lily DesGroseilliers – flute – have both been playing for eight years,

For their entire four years at West, they have tried out for All-East, a regional honor band where they are compared to the skill level of their other peers in East Tennessee.

Both received a blue band placement, which is the highest band in the organization.

However, the top members of the blue band sections are given the honor to advance to the All-State honor band where students play with the top high school musicians in the state.

In their senior year, both these talented young musicians received the honor to play in the TMEA All-State band.

The preparation process for obtaining this honor is not easily achieved.

“I would practice every day, including waking up before I had to go to school to prepare. This helped me during class, and helped me to learn the music for my audition,” Lily said.

She also took, and still takes, lessons from Marilyn Purkey on Mondays to enhance her playing skills.

Lily practiced every day from September to January to make All-State, and succeeded.

Carter was no different.

Holtmann mentions how he began practicing every day to prepare.

“I have been playing for eight years and taking private lessons since seventh grade, so I was confident I would make it,” he said.

All the hard work paid off as Carter was 13th chair for all state.

Lily was 10th chair.

For four days in April, Carter and Lily stayed at the Opryland Hotel to practice daily with their honor band in preparation for the concert.

The band practiced one to three times a day together for around two to three hours.

The days began early and ended late.

Students from all across the state came together to make music.

The conductor for the All-State band was Col. Lowell Graham, the United States Air Force Band Director.

He held high expectations for these students and treated them as professionals.

Both Trojan musicians rose to the occasion as they worked hard during this time to deliver a flawless concert on Saturday.

The concert consisted of seven pieces, one of which was a world premiere and tribute to the victims of the Nashville shooting titled, “One World, Many Voices,” by Robert Sheldon.

Both seniors will move on after graduation to university.

Carter will continue to play clarinet at The University of Tennessee, and Lily will continue to play flute at East Tennessee State University, where she will receive multiple music scholarships.

“Working to qualify for All-State taught me that sometimes you need to push yourself farther than you think you’re capable of,” DesGroseilliers said. “I’ve made so much progress as a musician through working to get into All-State. Last year Lily would be flabbergasted at what this year Lily can do.”