Martin High School senior, Nestor Olguin and Nixon High School senior, Carlos Carreon Gonzalez were recently named as members of the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Band. The two students are among an elite group of high school musicians who have earned the prestigious honor of being selected as members of the 2023 Texas All-State Band.
Nestor and Carlos were chosen for this impressive honor through a competitive process held this year across the state at the District, Region, and Area levels. In the Area G Competition, Nestor and Carlos competed against students from south San Antonio, Del Rio, Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, and Victoria areas.
Olguin, who received first chair on Alto Saxophone, competed in the 6A Division, and is now a two-time All-State Musician. Nestor is a member of the Martin High School Band under the direction Bobby Castro. Last year as a junior, Olguin received All-State Musician honors in the 5A Division making this his second time receiving this distinguished honor. He is also a student at the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts.
Gonzalez, who received a fourth chair in B-flat Clarinet, competed in the 5A Division and was named All-State Musician. This is Carlos’s first time being selected to perform as a member of the TMEA All-State Band. He is also a student at the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts.
We are extremely proud of Nestor and Carlos,” said Bobby Castro Martin High School Band Director. “Both of these young men are self-driven, self-disciplined, and that is what gets them to the next level.”
Nestor’s curiosity in music began at a young age while watching his brother play music.
“Just seeing my brothers practice around the house in the summer when he was in high school, it just kind of motivated me to give it a shot,” said Olguin.
Carlos’s passion for music began when he was a student at Alma Pierce Elementary School.
“My love for music began in 5th grade when Lamar Middle School came to my elementary and played, “said Gonzalez. “I said that sounds beautiful and that excited me to be able to join band because I heard this beautiful music that they played for us.”
Nestor and Carlos who have been friends since middle school when they met in TMEA are hoping to create more great memories together as All-State Band Musicians.
“I always knew Carlos would make it to state. He just worked hard and it's cool, to see other friends of yours accelerate and make these accomplishments,” said Olguin. “I just can't wait to see Carlos have fun because State is great.”
“It feels amazing going to State with Nestor. He is a great musician,” said Gonzalez. “Like I always said, I wish we can play together. Knowing that we're going to State together it's one of the best goals that we could ever accomplish. We have been friends since seventh grade, and I can say that my friend from middle school is an All-Stater like me.”
According to Castro, since middle school you could tell right away with students. Since the minute they pick up their instrument there is something that happens to these kids. The minute you see them grabbing the instrument they have a smile on their face.
“By the end of the week, they kids come back and tell you look at what I learned and so you build on those things,” said Castro “As musicians we can tell where the musicianship come in. Like with Nestor and Carlos, we notice these students since the sixth grade.”
TMEA sponsors the Texas All-State audition process to promote students’ dedication to their musical knowledge and skill and to encourage educators to support their students in this development. All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive.
This competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 33 TMEA Regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their Region to compete against musicians from other areas in eight TMEA Area competitions. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to a TMEA All-State music group.