A Record Number of Students Will Represent Steller Community for All-State

 

Each year, the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) sponsors the All-State Music Festival for high school band, choir, and orchestra students.  Participation requires rigorous and highly competitive auditions.  Attaining regular chairs or even a spot on the alternate list is the pinnacle of high school musicians.  Six students for Steller Band auditioned for this year’s All-State Band.

 

The audition results for the 2025 ASAA All-State Band were released last weekend.  All of the Steller Band students did exceptionally well: Five students are accepted; one student is placed on the alternate list. The students on the alternate list are in “on call” status.  If spots become available, the students will be called up. 

 

These highly accomplished students for Steller Band are:

 

Charlie Banning, trumpet – alternate

Liam Kraft, trumpet

Josephine Leonard, French horn

Marley McDonagh, flute

Zoe McDonagh, French horn

Remiel Porter, percussion

 

“These students put a lot of effort into the auditions.  When I learned that six of our band students made either the regular chairs or the alternate list, I was over the moon.  I am still doing the Happy Dance now”, said Mr. Toba, the band teacher.  “The number of students is, to my best of knowledge, the most in our school history.  Steller will be well-represented for All-State in November.  I cannot be prouder of these highly accomplished band students.”

 

The 2025 All-State Music Festival will be from Thursday, November 20, through Saturday, the 22nd, at Betty Davis East High School.  The gala concert will take place in the Saturday evening at West High School Auditorium, starting at 6 p.m.  The public is invited.