Goose Creek well represented at TMEA conference Feb. 9 through 12

Goose Creek CISD was well represented at the Texas Music Educators Association conference in San Antonio
Feb. 9 through 12, with numerous students earning top honors and the Sterling High School Meistersingers spotlighted in a feature performance.
The Meistersingers, led by director Tim Vaughn and assistant director Holly Hopper, have been preparing for the performance since early fall. They were chosen by audition tape to perform at the annual convention of TMEA, which has a membership of over 10,000.
According to Nelson Nolden, GCCISD's coordinator of performing/visual arts and foreign language, the group performed for a crowd of over 2,000 educators, receiving a rousing standing ovation from the entire audience.
In addition, eight GCCISD choral students earned All-State Choir honors. Out of a possible eight first-chair rankings at the state level, GCCISD students earned four of these positions.
First-chair honorees included Josemery Ramirez of Lee High School, Soprano I; Lorin Kirk of Sterling, Alto II; Byoung Kang, Tenor I; and Jesse LaRue, Bass II. Other All-State Choir members included Sterling students Kristen Alexander, Alyssa Bradford, Mike Vasgues, and Brad Kohles.
In addition, two GCCISD students were selected as All-State Band members. Betty Macias of Lee earned first chair in the flute section, and Jennifer Anderson of Sterling was named All-State in the oboe section.
Cora Bigwood, Travis Elementary School music teacher, was elected as vice president of the elementary division for the entire state during the conference. Wes McEwen, orchestra director at Lee High School and Cedar Bayou Junior School, and Clarence Frank, orchestra director at Sterling High School, were the organizers for the two All-State Orchestras.
Five GCCISD band teachers were also involved in the conference, providing accompaniment for the Meistersingers during the group's performance. They include Ricky Clem and Zeb Moore of Sterling, Ray Jones of Gentry Junior School; Kristi Dowler of Baytown Junior School; and Diane Baker of Cedar Bayou. Nolden presented a session on"TAKS Tutorial Pull-Out Policy" during the Texas Music Administrators Conference.