A pair of standout Harker Heights High School students made it through a multi-audition gauntlet this fall to earn seats in the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra.
Both have made it to the elite ensemble before.
Junior Rebekah Koh earned All-State honors for the third year and senior Alexander Lee made the high mark for the second year in a row.
They sat in a reading area of the school library Thursday explaining the challenges that come with staying focused enough to learn the extremely difficult music while taking a full load of Advanced Placement courses and staying ranked in the top 10 of their respective classes.
They received audition music in May prior to the following school year and a second set of music in August at the beginning of the school year.
They competed in front of judges within a region that includes Killeen, Temple, Belton, Waco, Bryan and College Station. Next, they submitted six recorded excerpts for two levels of competition – pre-area and area.
The survivors received assignment to one of three All-State orchestras. Koh made it, for the third time, to the highest symphony orchestra on violin. Lee made it to the next-highest philharmonic orchestra on the viola.
They both consider their highest award the chance to return to the annual TMEA convention in February in San Antonio, where they will rehearse with their top-ranked peers from across the state for a concert in front of the state’s music educators.
“It’s changed over the years,” said Koh of her perspective about making the highest scholastic orchestra in the state. “First, it was a chance to play with a very high level of competition. Now, I see it as a chance to see friends. It’s more casual.”
“It’s a wonderful experience to meet higher level players and experience more passion for music,” said Lee.
Both students, long committed to daily practice, said this year they have worked hard to find an hour or two a day to hone their craft while meeting growing academic demands.
“Making it last year helped my skills a lot,” Lee said. “I built a foundation for this year.”
Both students also pointed out that many of their statewide peers are not returning this year, a fact Lee and Koh said they can easily understand.
“I didn’t push myself as hard this year because I’m so busy with junior classes. I had to find the time and not get distracted,” she said.
“You can’t lose that tension and expect to make it again,” said the junior, now a three-time All-State member.
“I’m very grateful,” Lee said. “It’s a fun time to perform at that high level. There are more musical interpretations. It brings the musician out of you. You’re not just drilling on technique.”
Koh said she gets chills when she rehearses and performs with the All-State Orchestra. They play alongside the TMEA All-State Band.
Preparing the high-level music in a few days requires rehearsals that can stretch eight hours, an exhausting, but satisfying accomplishment.
After playing violin since third grade, Koh said she was not excited about music entering high school. That changed when she made the All-State Orchestra as a freshman.
“I found my passion for music. Even though the process is grueling it’s an outlet that allows me to express myself. All-State was a big turnaround for me,” she said.
“I’m excited to make those connections and work with the conductors,” said Koh. “It’s a big learning experience."
The two students are also awaiting results of their National Youth Orchestra tryouts. Koh made that national group last year.
