IWA band and choir receive superior rating at TAPPS Regional Music Competition

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Incarnate Word Academy Music Department won a superior rating in all of the events entered at the TAPPS Regional Music Competition on Friday, March 1. IWA scored a grand total of 530 points at the competition, which was held at the IWA Music Hall.

The Angel Band and Choir now advance to the TAPPS State Music Competition, which will be held April 11-12 at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.

For junior Loc Nguyen, a drummer in the Jazz and Large Concert Band, the thought of competing at the TAPPS State Music Competition makes him both nervous and excited. "The year before, we went to state and won," Loc said. "So this year, we really want to do well and place at state."

At the TAPPS Regional Music Competition, students from IWA competed in six categories. These categories included choir, large ensemble, medium ensemble, jazz ensemble, vocal solos and instrumental solos.

The Medium Ensemble, Jazz Band and the Large Concert Band and Sight Reading all received a First Division rating. The large band was also the Regional TAPPS Sweepstakes winner.

The following band members received a First Division rating: Harmon Dobson (Trumpet Solo); Hank Carrillo (Piano Solo); Mamiko Hosoe (Flute Solo); Aaron Benavides (Alto Saxophone Solo); Bo Gilmore, Jackie Salazar and Harmon Dobson (Trumpet Trio); Luz Fernandez, Mamiko Hosoe and Alexa Mendoza (Flute Trio); and Shelby Saenz (Clarinet Solo).

Choir soloists receiving a First Division rating were Kristian Lopez, Victoria Pena, Theresa Lopez, McKinna Gourley, Meri-Ashton Van Winkle and Ginger Villareal.

IWA Band Director Joe Hernandez and IWA Choir Teacher Frank Cano said that they are very proud of their students for all their hard work in preparing for the TAPPS Regional Music Competition.

"The entire IWA Music Department created a bit of music history by scoring Regional TAPPS Points in a 100 percent of all the music entries," Hernandez said.