FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Jan. 24, 2025—Sixteen musicians from Midway High School’s Band, Choir and Orchestra programs have received the highest honor for music students in Texas.
Among these honorees are one orchestra student, two band students and a record-setting 13 choir students—more than any other 6A choir program in Texas, all earning spots as 2025 Texas Music Educators Association All-State Musicians. Compared to other 6A districts, Midway ISD has the sixth-highest number of All-State Musicians in the state.
These students rank among the top 2.7% of over 70,000 students from across Texas who initially auditioned to become All-State musicians. They will participate in three days of rehearsals directed by nationally recognized conductors and perform with the Texas All-State ensembles on Saturday, Feb. 15 in San Antonio as part of the 2025 TMEA Clinic/Convention.
High school students selected to perform in the All-State concerts have competed through three levels of auditions to qualify at the state level. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in an All-State music group.
All-State Band
Senior trombone player Hogan Akin and Junior bass clarinet player Emmanuel Maxey are members of the Midway High School Wind Ensemble who have earned seats as All-State Band members. Emmanuel has accomplished the rare feat of earning All-State Band honors for two consecutive years, auditioning with a different instrument each year—contrabassoon and bass clarinet. The Midway High School Band is under the direction of Pam Hyatt.
All-State Choir
Midway Choir’s program record of 13 All-State students is the most of any 6A school in Texas and more than all other Region 8 schools combined. The following singers represent Midway Choir as All-State musicians: Madeleine Denman, Hannah Rose, Millicent Cherry, Katie Partin, Cady Eggleston, Sofia Mata, Abigail Harris, Madison Follis, Sam Conaway, Asher Beck, Jackson Owen, Reagan Corley and Johnny Holden.
Among these students are four-year All-State Choir members Asher Beck and Sam Conaway—a first for Midway. Additionally, Jackson Owen is a three-year All-State Choir member, and Millicent Cherry, Madeleine Denman and Sofia Mata are each returning for a second year. These students are all under the direction of MHS choral directors Jeff Rice, Jannifer Rice and Caleb Overstreet.
All-State Orchestra
Midway sophomore violinist Glenn Eshelman has been selected for the TMEA All-State Philharmonic Orchestra. This marks Glenn’s second consecutive year as an All-State musician, an impressive achievement he first earned as a freshman. The Midway High School Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Beau Benson.
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Attached: Photo of Midway High School Band, Choir, and Orchestra All-State musicians (standing from left) Hogan Akin, Emmanuel Maxey, Jackson Owen, Katie Partin, Sam Conaway, Millicent Cherry, Reagan Corley, Cady Eggleston, Asher Beck, Johnny Holden, Glenn Eshelman, (seated from left) Madison Follis, Hannah Rose, Abigail Harris, Sofia Mata and Madeleine Denman.
Katy Durham
Multimedia Specialist, Midway Independent School District
254.761.5610 x1137 | www.midwayisd.org
13885 Woodway Drive, Woodway, TX 76712
