MHS tuba player first Ram named to All-State Band

Maricopa High School senior tuba player Chance Ackerson has been named to the 2017 Arizona Band and Orchestra Director’s Association All-State Honor Band.

Chance is the first student Maricopa High School has had admitted to the All-State Band.

This selection comes as a result of two very rigorous audition rounds. First, Chance had to pass an audition to be admitted into the AMEA Central Region Band, one of the most difficult regions in Arizona. In order to be eligible for the All-State audition, he had to participate in the region festival and perform with the Central Region Band in the region concert, which he did on Feb. 17-18.

Then, on Friday, March 3, he auditioned for the All-State Band at Desert Vista High School and was accepted. Each audition featured three prepared Etudes, 2 major scales, a chromatic scale, and sight reading. This acceptance means Chance is one of the top 11 tuba players in Arizona.

The ABODA/ACE All-State Honor Festival will be held from April 6-8 on the campus of Arizona State University. The All-State band will be led by Travis Cross, conductor of the UCLA Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Participants will also be treated to performances of ASU’s best music ensembles, and will perform on the afternoon of April 8 in ASU’s iconic, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gammage Auditorium.