Musicians selected for GMEA all-state ensembles

More than 30 local school musicians have been selected for the prestigious Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) All-State Bands and Orchestras. Among the 12 bands and orchestras are representatives of all five high schools and three middle schools. 

Earning placement on the 11th and 12th grade All-State Orchestra are McIntosh’s Anna Nam (cello), Dayo Lee (cello), and Shazan Samnani (violin), Starr’s MIll’s Jodie Stone (viola), and Whitewater’s Sydney Brown (cello) and Ikenna Okoro (violin). 

Members of the 11th and 12th grade All-State Symphonic Band are McIntosh’s Liam Bourque (trombone) and Elayna Griffaw (flute), Sandy Creek’s Ahmad Duncan (bassoon) and Gabriel Mavis (trombone), and Whitewater’s Oliver MacLean (bassoon) and West Clayton (alto saxophone). 

Alternates are Daniel Ramos (flute, Fayette County High) and Cole Sanford (bassoon, McIntosh High). 

Earning placement on the 9th and 10th grade All-State Orchestra are Fayette County’s Bria Rives (principal bass), McIntosh’s Yuang Zhang (violin), Starr’s Mill’s Didi Stone (violin), Richard Wang (cello), and Lucas Nyman (violin), and Whitewater’s Kate Newland (flute). 

Members of the 9th and 10th grade All-State Concert Band are McIntosh’s Hannah Claiborne (flute), Starr’s Mill’s Hannah Kim (oboe), Michael Lin (clarinet), Andrew Haynes (baritone), and Andrew Yaeger (percussion), and Whitewater’s Owen Quick (bassoon) and Ivan Agyeman (bass clarinet). 

Earning placement on the Middle School All-State Band are J.C. Booth’s Keifer State (bassoon) and Carter Bennett (tuba). 

Members of the Middle School All-State Orchestra are J.C. Booth’s Billy Sizemore (cello), Zoura Chan (viola), and Kaden Korn (violin), Rising Starr’s Delani Gatson (bass), and Whitewater’s Zaire Brown (violin). 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the in-person All-State event, but alternate plans for a virtual experience are in the works.