On Sep. 14, the Klein Forest band hosted Region 9 Jazz auditions for students around the area to compete against other musicians. The band had four members advance to Area Jazz; Juniors Andrew Villafuerte, Erik Valdez, Carter Jian Wei and Elvis Gonzalez. 

“I was happy seeing that I made it to Area Jazz because it means I made it two years in a row,” Gonzalez said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the other people who made Area Jazz and to play in the Region Jazz concert again.”

Both Villafuerte (trumpet) and Valdez (bass) got first chair placements, while Jian Wei (bass trombone) and Gonzalez (trumpet) made second and fifth chair.

These chair placements represent how well the student performed in auditions, with a first chair being first place, a second chair being second place and so on. In order to advance to Area Jazz, students need to rank high enough to fit into each instrument’s advancing cut. 

“I was in shock and in disbelief when I saw I got first chair,” Valdez said. “I’m excited to be advancing to Area Jazz [and] I’m going to prepare for it by going over my etudes every day and listening to recordings.”

During the auditions, students were tasked to play three musical selections, known as etudes and an improvisation solo. 

“The most challenging part for me was the improv,” Villafuerte said. “In the moment I had kind of forgotten everything and I was making stuff up. So I could have done better in my improv.” 

The TMEA Region Jazz music was released on May 15, and students were given four months to prepare in any way. Some students, like Jian Wei, received help from others. 

“I prepared with help from my lesson teacher,” Jian Wei said. “I was nervous for the auditions but my lesson teacher told me to go into the audition room confident, so I was more confident and that helped with my playing.”

Students that advanced to Area Jazz have until Oct. 14 to prepare for the next audition, with a chance to make the TMEA State Jazz band.