Instrumental Music students from all over Middle Tennessee auditioned for Mid-State and All-State ensembles in November and December. They were required to perform an audition consisting of prepared music, scales, and sight-reading. Top performers from the auditions were selected for Mid-State and All-State Bands, Orchestras, and Jazz Ensembles. 

149 students from Rutherford County Schools earned spots in these elite mid-state music ensembles. 21 also earned spots in the high school All-State ensembles. They will perform with the ensembles during the Spring 2024 semester. 

12 RCS students earned the top spot on their instrument in the Mid-State. Those students are:

7^th/8^th Grade:

Skyler Jordan – Bass Clarinet – Blackman Middle School

Ryan Makuch – Jazz Guitar – Rockvale Middle School

Zara Martinez – Jazz Bass – Blackman Middle School

Rowan Mcconnell – Baritone Saxophone – Oakland Middle School

Jonathan Yancey – Jazz Baritone Saxophone – Blackman Middle School

9^th/10^th Grade:

Jenna Lynn Andersen – Trumpet – Blackman High School

Adison Creasy – Flute – Siegel High School

Kai Earwood – Percussion – Siegel High School

Jack Ledford – Alto Saxophone – Stewarts Creek High School

Jacob Preku – String Bass – Central Magnet School

Angel Quintero – Tenor Saxophone – Riverdale High School

11^th/12^th Grade:

William Parker – String Bass – Central Magnet School

All RCS Mid-State students are listed below. Students with an asterisk (*) in front of their names earned first place overall in their instrument categories. Students selected for All-State are designated with an (All-State) after their names. 

Congratulations to all of these wonderful RCS musicians!

 

7^th and 9^th Grade Mid-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band

Cristian Aello – Tenor Saxophone – Thurman Francis Arts Academy

Gabriella Bartolini – Percussion – Blackman Middle School

Hillary Bee – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Gabriela Boies – Horn – Siegel Middle School

McKenna Bryant – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Christian Castellanos – Tuba – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Camila Contreras – Flute – Blackman Middle School

Sean Crawley – Jazz Alto Saxophone – Blackman Middle School

Jackson Davis – Trombone – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Jax Doss – Euphonium – Siegel Middle School

Jason Dyer – Horn – Central Magnet School

Colson Gerlach – Horn – Siegel Middle School

Aiden Green – Tuba – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Samuel Hudson – Horn – Siegel Middle School

Noah Hyten – Trombone, Jazz Trombone – Oakland Middle School

Sofia Ibarra – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Maggie Jones – Flute – Stewarts Creek Middle School

*Skyler Jordan – Bass Clarinet – Blackman Middle School

Elijah Kang – Bb Clarinet – Blackman Middle School

Forrest King – Baritone Saxophone – Siegel Middle School

Jaden Kennedy – Euphonium – Blackman Middle School

Josiah Leos – Tuba – Blackman Middle School

Alicia Louanglath – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Jordan Makuch – Bass Clarinet – Rockvale Middle School

*Ryan Makuch – Jazz Guitar – Rockvale Middle School

*Zara Martinez – Jazz Bass – Blackman Middle School

*Rowan Mcconnell – Baritone Saxophone, Jazz Tenor Saxophone – Oakland Middle School

Oxford Mcdade – Cello – Thurman Francis Arts Academy

Fiona Mcvay – Percussion – Blackman Middle School

William Ogburn – Trumpet – Siegel Middle School

Joanna Pasta – Flute – Blackman Middle School

Angelina Rezkallah – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Teague Roche – Trumpet, Jazz Trumpet – Oakland Middle School

Everleigh Sherlin – Trombone – Oakland Middle School

Danika Shiomitsu – Violin – Central Magnet School

Avalon Skinner – Bb Clarinet – Rockvale Middle School

Weston Smythe – Percussion – Blackman Middle School

Ashley Tankersley – Flute – Blackman Middle School

Alivia Tubbs – Bass Clarinet – Rockvale Middle School

Jackson Wilburn – Trombone, Jazz Trombone – Stewarts Creek Middle School

Benjamin Wilson – String Bass – Thurman Francis Arts Academy

Edward Woodring – Horn – Stewarts Creek Middle School

*Jonathan Yancey – Jazz Baritone Saxophone – Blackman Middle School

Angie Zelaya – Trumpet – Rock Springs Middle School

 

9^th and 10^th Grade Mid-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band

Jenna Abbott – Flute – Siegel High School

Hayder Al-Shammari – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School

Jacob Anderson – Cello – Central Magnet School

*Jenna Lynn Andersen – Trumpet, Jazz Trumpet– Blackman High School (All-State)

Eli Bauer – Flute – Central Magnet School

Seth Blackmore – Tuba – Stewarts Creek High School

Taylor Boling – Horn – Stewarts Creek High School

Aubree Broaddus – Bb Clarinet – Siegel High School

Ava Brown – Bb Clarinet – Riverdale High School

Kyshaun Brown – Bb Clarinet – Blackman High School

Nate Carrigan – Trombone – Riverdale High School

Austin Carter – Horn – Rockvale High School (All-State)

Wylene Co – Violin – Central Magnet School

Andy Collins – Bb Clarinet – Rockvale High School

Will Cooper – Tuba – Rockvale High School

Justin Cornelio – Bb Clarinet – Smyrna High School

Dallas Crain – Trombone – Stewarts Creek High School

*Adison Creasy – Flute – Siegel High School (All-State)

Olivia Davis – Bass Clarinet – Rockvale High School (All-State)

Jacob Dean – Trombone – Stewarts Creek High School

William Depaul – String Bass – Blackman High School

Samantha Dix – Trumpet – Stewarts Creek High School

Bella Duncan – Flute – Siegel High School

*Kai Earwood – Percussion – Siegel High School (All-State)

Braden Evreniadis – Bb Clarinet – Smyrna High School

Drake Fisk – Trombone – Rockvale High School

Elle Foss - Central Magnet School

Evan Gibson – Cello – Central Magnet School

Lina Gomez – Percussion – Rockvale High School

Emma Heath – Trombone – Blackman High School

Travis Hogwood – Percussion – Rockvale High School

Robert Holler – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School

Raphael Hopper – Trombone - Stewarts Creek High School

Jason Kern – Horn – Stewarts Creek High School

Rylan King – Trombone – Central Magnet School

Emily Lannom – Trumpet – Blackman High School

*Jack Ledford – Alto Saxophone, Jazz Alto Saxophone – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State)

Alex Louanglath – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School

Nathan Marshall – Euphonium – Siegel High School (All-State)

Cora Mccollum – Violin – Central Magnet School (All-State)

Jackson Monroe – Bb Clarinet – Siegel High School

Ell Moore – Horn – Riverdale High School

Brandon Murray – Cello – Smyrna High School

Kira Perkins – Flute – Blackman High School

Jackson Polumbo – Trumpet – Stewarts Creek High School

*Jacob Preku – String Bass – Central Magnet School (All-State)

*Angel Quintero – Tenor Saxophone – Riverdale High School (All-State)

Debbie Ramirez-Landeros – Bb Clarinet – Smyrna High School (All-State)

Angel Reverol – Flute – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State)

Chase Russell – String Bass, Tuba – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State)

Sarah Saleeb – Trombone – Riverdale High School

Jacob Schroeder – Trombone, Jazz Trombone – Smyrna High School

Kellan Scott – Bb Clarinet – Blackman High School

Carter Smythe – Alto Saxophone – Blackman High School

Colin Sullivan – Horn – Siegel High School

Sophie Tan – Violin – Central Magnet School

Caleb Weller – Baritone Saxophone – Rockvale High School

Sincere Williams – Tuba – Smyrna High School

Kali Wood – Bass Clarinet – Smyrna High School

Josie Yant – Flute – Siegel High School

 

11^th and 12^th Grade Mid-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band

Michelle Aguilar – Violin – Central Magnet School (All-State)

Danae Altman – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School

Aidan Amphonephong – Trumpet – Riverdale High School

Evelyn Bailon – Bb Clarinet – Eagleville School

Kendall Beard – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School

Evie Bennett – Bb Clarinet – Rockvale High School

Dawson Binder – Trombone – Stewarts Creek High School

Tinsley Bournazian – Bb Clarinet – Rockvale High School

Camren Cone – Bb Clarinet – LaVergne High School

Isabelle Cox – Tuba – Smyrna High School

Wyatt Crabill – Percussion – Oakland High School

Drew Denton – Bassoon – Rockvale High School

Morgan Franklin – Bb Clarinet – Smyrna High School

Matthew Fraser – Bb Clarinet – Rockvale High School

Ian Gilbert – Horn – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State)

Jackson Goddard – String Bass – Rockvale High School

Hailey Harrell – Bass Clarinet – Riverdale High School

Angel Hu – Violin – Central Magnet School (All-State)

Vance Hutchings – Trombone – Oakland High School

Brianna Isbell – Horn – Stewarts Creek High School

Eli Johnson – Trombone – Oakland High School (All-State)

Haley Johnson – Flute – Siegel High School

Jack Lane – Bb Clarinet – Siegel High School

Katherine Ledford – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School

Emma Locke – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State)

Isabel Martinez – Piccolo – Stewarts Creek High School

Abigail Mathis – Horn – Stewarts Creek High School

Lucas McAlister – Trombone – Riverdale High School

Cannon Murphree – Flute – Siegel High School

Jayce Parker – Alto Saxophone, Jazz Alto Saxophone – Stewarts Creek High School

*William Parker – String Bass – Central Magnet School (All-State)

Jayden Po’e – Viola – Central Magnet School (All-State)

Esther Quirino – Bass Clarinet – Smyrna High School

Cadence Russell – Bassoon - Stewarts Creek High School

Bre Sanders – Bb Clarinet – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State)

Ashley Sanford – Viola – Smyrna High School

Chloe Schmidt – Bass Clarinet – Blackman High School

Jonah Sherlin – Percussion – Oakland High School

Ayaka Shiomitsu – Viola – Central Magnet School

Isabella Smyth – Horn – Blackman High School

Michelle Sosa – Flute – Rockvale High School

Collin Sutherland – Trombone – Stewarts Creek High School

Dallas Turkell – Tuba – Rockvale High School

Catie Waugh – Violin – Central Magnet School

Ezekiel Wondwosen – Percussion – Rockvale High School

We are proud of our RCS Choir Students! In recent auditions, RCS students achieved All-County, Freshman Honors, Mid-State, and/or All-State status. This year, RCS boasts a total of: 

RCS had more students earn Mid-State/Freshman Honors status than any other mid-state district, with more than 23% of the 2023 Mid-State Choir students coming from Rutherford County! Stewarts Creek High School also had the highest number of Mid-State/Freshman Honors students from a single school in the mid-state area, with 52 SCHS students earning the recognition. 

 

Congratulations to all these students on a job well done!

 

Blackman High School:  

Ryah Abualrob – All-County  

Brooklyn Bennett – All-County, Mid-State 

Viola Boktor – All-County  

Eli Danner – All-County  

Gabby Gracin – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Tristan Hansen – All-County, Mid-State 

John Horton – All-County  

Cadence Shofner – All-County  

Cartavious Smith – All-County  

Ashley Torres – All-County 

Austyn Ward – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Gavin Weststeyn – All-County 

Annabelle Whitaker – All-County, Mid-State 

Janie Whitaker – All-County, Mid-State 

Shania Williams – All-County 

Averi Yates – All-County 

 

Central Magnet School:  

Molly Bartsch – All-County, Mid-State 

Gaven Burrows – All-County  

Sotlyn Craig – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jocelyn Cummings – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Lillie Hutchins – All-County  

Taylor Kline – All-County  

Reese Lee – All-County  

Jorge Linares – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Tessa Long – All-County  

Jenna Martin – All-County  

Savannah Merritt – All-County, Mid-State 

Cooper Olsen – – All-County, Mid-State 

Rachel Plondke – – All-County, Mid-State 

Sloane Roeder – All-County, Mid-State 

Polly-Grace Viswanathan – All-County  

 

Eagleville School:  

Ari Bartram – All-County  

Ruby Parish – All-County  

Isaiah Reed – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Brooke Robinson – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Lillian Stahr – All-County 

Mary Stahr – All-County, Mid-State 

Kayleigh Tolbert – All-County  

Carrie Welch – All-County  

 

LaVergne High School:  

Fatima Al-Hajiri – All-County, Mid-State 

Quinten Nash – All-County, Mid-State 

Catalina Ortiz Becerra – All-County  

Chistopher Powe – All-County, Freshman Honors 

James Powe – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Heissell Romero Pena – All-County  

Erin Terrell – All-County  

 

Oakland High School:  

Mckenna Acosta – All-County  

Cameron Balbalosa – All-County, Mid-State 

Ryan Balbalosa – All-County  

Jouvence Benoit – All-County, Mid-State 

London Booker – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Darla Brooks – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Asa Brown – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Elizabeth Cathey – All-County  

Victoria Chism – All-County, Mid-State 

Claira James – All-County, Mid-State 

Sophia Leon – All-County  

Alexa Ribar – All-County  

Soma Rudgley – All-County  

Alijah Waters – All-County  

Mia Watkins – All-County  

 

Riverdale High School: 

Jazmin Enriquez-Cruz – All-County, Mid-State 

Kara Folken – All-County  

Jameson Hiatt – All-County, Mid-State 

Rhylea Karr – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Hayleigh Mitchell – All-County  

Tawni Phakousonh – All-County  

Brichelle Potts – All-County  

Sierra Risinger – All-County, Mid-State 

Sahara Rose – All-County  

Grace Sanders – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Lexi Sells – All-County  

Michelle Smith – All-County  

Elexis Thhepthongsay – All-County  

Abigail Wilder – All-County  

 

Rockvale High School:  

Alec Arocho – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Josie Bloom – All-County 

Kayla Boyvin – All-County, Mid-State 

Kamiya Dancy – All-County  

Madison Deveirman – All-County  

Jaelyn Edwards – All-County  

Elaina Fisher – All-County, Mid-State 

Jayson Gallardo – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Mackenzie Gonzales – All-County  

Rose Harrold – All-County  

Ava Hughes – All-County  

Geoffrey Lee – All-County  

Luisangela Limpio Castillo – All-County 

Abby McGuire – All-County, Mid-State 

Kaiden Myers – All-County  

Chloe Prizio – All-County  

Tenbit Wondwosen – All-County  

 

Siegel High School:  

Riley Allen – All-County 

Xavier Arhagba – All-County 

Charlie Arkenberg – All-County, Mid-State 

Aubree Broaddus – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Bryona Browner – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Braxton Collins – All-County 

Hallie Davis – All-County, Mid-State 

Kai Earwood – All-County, Mid-State 

Carson Hagstrom – All-County, Mid-State 

Erik Heischberg – All-County 

Riya Hira – All-County 

Kendan Hokanson – All-County  

Camryn Jimcoily – All-County  

Haley Johnson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Luke Johnson – All-County, Mid-State 

Onyx Kemp – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Kendall Latta – All-County, Mid-State 

Jonas Marshall – All-County, Mid-State 

Lille McKeand – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Anastasia McKinzie – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Samantha McWhorter – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Gabrielle Miller – All-County, Mid-State 

Aida Mongold – All-County  

Brody Ottow – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Kiley Peach – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jhanaya Porter – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Laura Robertson – All-County  

Jade Stanford – All-County 

Natalie Sublett – All-County 

Kenton Tracy – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Zion Williams – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Sarah Kate Wright – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Sarah Kate Young – All-County, Freshman Honors 

 

Smyrna High School:  

Gavin Averhoff – All-County 

Addison Baird – All-County 

Faith Carbonari – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Keturah Cesar – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Je’Veyaeh Chambers – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Isabelle Cox – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Annabelle Doe – All-County  

Kener Elvira-Morales – All-County 

Aileen Fajardo – All-County  

Rachel Harlan – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Anna Hulsey – All-County  

Emily Jones – All-County, Freshman Honors 

London Leslie – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Andre Mathis – All-County  

Bronson Moore – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Derek Sharpton – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Max Tomlin – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Justin Villanueva – All-County, Mid-State 

Logan Watson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Austin Webster – All-County, Mid-State 

Danika Yoder – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Daniella Zarzutzki – All-County, Freshman Honors 

 

Stewarts Creek High School:  

Alex Bailey – All-County, Mid-State 

Jackson Baker – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Maddie Barnes – All-County, Mid-State 

Ann Botros – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Hailey Bove – All-County  

Hannah Boyce – All-County, Mid-State 

Makenzie Brown – All-County, Mid-State 

Bethany Burns – All-County  

Bia Byars – All-County, Mid-State 

Rhiannon Cameron – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jordan Chambers – All-County, Mid-State 

Arabella Cianci – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Dallas Crain – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jacob Dean – All-County, Mid-State 

Olivia Evans – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Marly Ezzat – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Valerie Ferkany – All-County, Mid-State 

Bryson Fletcher – All-County, Mid-State 

Logan Foster – All-County, Mid-State 

Joyce Kathleen Foutch – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Daniel Guydon – All-County, Mid-State 

David Guydon – All-County, Mid-State 

Paige Hall – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Jacob Harper – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Scarlett Hicks – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Violet Hicks – All-County 

Chris Holaday – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jacob Jackson – All-County, Mid-State 

Averie Kelly – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jenna Knox – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Jack Ledford – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Katherine Ledford – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Daniel Light – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Blake Lloyd – All-County, Mid-State 

Myrka Lopez – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Isabel Martinez – All-County, Mid-State 

Gabriela Medina – All-County 

Savannah Morrison – All-County 

Emmie Mullis – All-County  

Addisyn Nelson – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Bella Nelson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Darrin Nicholson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Grace Owen – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Jayce Parker – All-County, Mid-State 

Kerrington Porchia – All-County  

Emma Potts – All-County, Freshman Honors 

William Prieto – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Logan Pritchett – All-County, Mid-State 

Lilliana Reed – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Lily Rozevink – All-County  

Cadence Russell – All-County, Mid-State 

Chase Russell – All-County, Freshman Honors 

Madyson Sanchez – All-County  

Eli Sarro – All-County, Mid-State 

Jacob Shelton – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Eleanor Silcox – All-County 

Jaiden Simon – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Molly Steele – All-County, Mid-State 

Elsie Unverzagt – All-County, Mid-State 

Kyla Valentine – All-County, Mid-State 

Ethan Vickers – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Cloey Wade – All-County  

Nevaeh Wallin – All-County  

Jude Williams – All-County, Mid-State, All-State 

Instrumental Music students from all over Middle Tennessee auditioned for Mid-State and All-State ensembles in November and December, 2022. They were required to perform an audition consisting of prepared music, scales, and sight-reading. Top performers from the auditions were selected for Mid-State and All-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensembles. 

152 students from Rutherford County Schools earned spots in these elite music ensembles. They will perform with the ensembles during the Spring 2023 semester. 

All RCS Mid-State students are listed below. Students with an asterisk (*) in front of their names earned first place overall in their instrument categories. Students selected for All-State are designated with an (All-State) after their names. 

Congratulations to all of these wonderful young musicians!

7th and 8th Grade Mid-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band 

*Jenna Abbott – Siegel Middle School 

Hayder Alshammari – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Aubree Broaddus – Siegel Middle School 

Kyshaun Brown – Blackman Middle School 

*Carlie Chaffee – Christiana Middle School 

Andy Collins – Rockvale Middle School 

Jayda Collins – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Will Cooper – Rockvale Middle School 

Dallas Crain – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Carter Cunningham – Blackman Middle School 

Alexander Dye – Siegel MIddle School 

Jason Dyer – Central Magnet School 

Emma Heath – Blackman Middle School 

Macy Heath – Blackman Middle School  

Payton Holzhei – Blackman Middle School 

Noah Hyten – Oakland Middle School 

Elizabeth Johnson – Siegel Middle School  

Skyler Jordan – Blackman Middle School 

Cooper Landry – Blackman Middle School 

*Jack Ledford – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Jason Lin – Central Magnet School 

Alicia Louanglath – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Tahj Matthews – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Oxford McDade – Thurman Francis Arts Academy 

Heidi McDaniel – Central Magnet School 

Jackson Monroe – Siegel Middle School 

Jordan Pincourt – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Angel Reverol – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

*Chase Russell – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Jacob Schroeder – Smyrna Middle School 

Kellan Scott – Blackman Middle School 

Xendarra Singzon – Blackman Middle School 

Avalon Skinner – Rockvale Middle School 

Carter Smythe – Blackman Middle School 

Katelyn Stewart – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Abigail Terral – Oakland Middle School 

Taylor Trujillo – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Aaden Walker – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

Tom Welch – Stewarts Creek Middle School 

 

9th and 10th Grade Mid-State and All-State Band, Jazz, and Orchestra 

Lily Agee – Stewarts Creek High School 

Michelle Aguilar – Central Magnet School 

Jenna Lynn Andersen – Blackman High School 

Evie Bennett – Rockvale High School 

Dawson Binder – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Seth Blackmore – Stewarts Creek High School 

Taylor Boling – Stewarts Creek High School 

Sofia Bonillo – Blackman High School  

Tinsley Bournazian – Rockvale High School 

*Freddie Brock – Blackman High School (All-State) 

Gavin Campbell – Oakland High School 

Austin Carter – Rockvale High School 

Wylene Co – Central Magnet School 

Wyatt Crabill – Oakland High School 

Adison Creasy – Siegel High School (All-State) 

Aiden Creighton – Riverdale High School 

Faith Damron – Stewarts Creek High School 

Jacob Dean – Stewarts Creek High school 

Drew Denton – Rockvale High School 

Samantha Dix – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Jael Duran – Stewarts Creek High School 

Kai Earwood – Siegel High School (All-State) 

Aaron Eckholdt – Riverdale High School 

Olivia Evans – Stearts Creek High School 

Braden Evreniadis – Smyrna High School 

Morgan Franklin – Smyrna High School 

*Ian Gilbert – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Austin Goff – Stewarts Creek High School 

Emma Griffith – Central Magnet School (All-State) 

Harrison Hamby – Central Magnet School 

Robert Holler – Stewarts Creek High School 

Travis Hogwood – Rockvale High School 

Rachel Hopper – Stewarts Creek High School 

Vance Hutchings – Oakland High School 

Brody King – Central Magnet School 

Rylan King – Central Magnet School 

Aiden Kopp – Rockvale High School 

Emma Locke – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Alex Louanglath – Stewarts Creek High School 

Sandra Isabel Martinez – Stewarts Creek High school 

Cora McCollum – Central Magnet School 

Cannon Murphree – Siegel High School 

Bruce Myers – Blackman High School 

Jolett Olvera – Stewarts Creek High School 

Jayce Parker – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

*William Parker – Central Magnet School (All-State) 

Jayden Po’e - Central Magnet School (All-State) 

Jackson Polumbo – Stewarts Creek High School 

Angel Quintero – Riverdale High School 

Esther Quirino – Smyrna High School 

Debbie Ramirez – Smyrna High School 

*Cadence Russell – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Bre Sanders – Stewarts Creek High School 

Ashley Sanford – Smyrna High School 

Cierra Schmidt – Blackman High School 

Jonah Sherlin – Oakland High School 

Ellie Sugden-Kundar – Blackman High School 

Collin Sutherland – Stewarts Creek High School 

Sophie Tan – Central Magnet School 

*Emma Thornhill – Oakland High School (All-State) 

Janie Whitaker – Blackman High School 

Kali Wood – Smyrna High School 

Ethan Yang – Central Magnet School 

 

11th and 12th Grade Mid-State and All-State Band, Jazz, and Orchestra 

Madalynn Adkerson – Rockvale High School 

Jackson Alford – Oakland High School 

Danae Altman – Stewarts Creek High School 

Aidan Amphonephong – Riverdale High School 

Evelyn Bailón - Eagleville School  

Kendall Beard – Stewarts Creek High School  

Jillian Beasley – Siegel High School 

Julianna Brown – Central Magnet School 

Ethan Bullock – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Jocelyn Bullock – Central Magnet School 

Jacob Capistrant – Stewats Creek High School 

Trevon Collins – Smyrna High School  

Isabelle Cox – Smyrna High School 

*Rebecca Deal – Siegel High School (All-State) 

Keviyah Endsley – Siegel High School  

Lauren Glaeser – Smyrna High School 

Aaron Goff – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Lily Gravley – Central Magnet School 

Cara Hallquist – Central Magnet School 

Hailey Harrell – Riverdale High School (All-State) 

Malia Harrell – Central Magnet School 

Rielly Harris – Blackman High School 

Megan Hickman – Blackman High School 

*Asher Humphrey – Stewarts Creek High School 

Angel Ju – Central Magnet School 

Eli Johnson – Oakland High School 

Haley Johnson – Siegel High School 

Isabella Kinard – Central Magnet School (All-State) 

Katie Ledford – Stewarts Creek High School (All-State) 

Lucas McAlister – Riverdale High School  

*Zach McBroom – Blackman High School 

Aliesh Melon-Ramos – Central Magnet School

Mike Oshop – Blackman High School

Isaac Ramsey – Siegel High School 

*Andrew Reed – Blackman High School  

Adam Revett – Rockvale High School 

Cameron Rizvi – Rockvale High School 

*Anna Robertson – Central Magnet School (All-State) 

Keegan Scott – Blackman High School (All-State) 

Michelle Sosa – Rockvale High School 

Chloe Schmidt – Blackman High School (All-State) 

Cami Smith – Rockvale High School 

Isabella Smythe – Blackman High School 

Aidan Thornhill – Stewarts Creek High School 

Dallas Turkell – Rockvale High School 

Cody Wade – Smyrna High School 

Catie Waugh – Central Magnet School 

Giovanni Williams – Stewarts Creek High School 

Henry Wright – Oakland High School 

Taylor Yarbrough – Oakland High School  

 

Blackman High School

Ryah Abualrob – All-County

Justin Collins – All-County

Gabby Gracin – All-County

Jarrett Royer – All-County

Olivia Suggs – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Janiei Whitaker – All-County

 

Central Magnet School

Molly Bartsch – All-County, Freshman Honors

Jocelyn Cummings – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Mia Eller – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Isabella Kinard – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Taylor Kline – All-County, Mid-State

Tessa Long – All-County

Jenna Martin – All-County

Ashleigh Massengill – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Savannah Merritt – All-County, Freshman Honors

Elena Newburry – All-County, Mid-State

Rachel Plondke – All-County, Freshman Honors

Leah Pruter – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

 

Eagleville School

Emilyn Arvidson – All-County

Giancarlo Delvalle – All-County

Laura Munoz Vergara – All-County

Ruby Parish – All-County

Abigail Rakes – All-County

Isaiah Reed – All-County, Mid-State

Lily Stahr – All-County, Mid-State

Mary Stahr – All-County

Kayleigh Tolbert – All-County

Hillery Treece – All-County

 

LaVergne High School

Fatima Al-fajiri – All-County, Mid-State

Ayla Gooch – All-County

Allie Lingerfelt – All-County

Cataline Ortiz – All-County

Niko Rodgers – All-County

Erin Terrell – All-County

D’Nasir Thomas – All-County

 

Oakland High School

McKenna Acosta – All-County

Sami Albakry – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Jouvence Benoit – All-County, Mid-State

Thomas Carr – All-County

Kooper Carter – All-County, Mid-State

Brynlee Cecil – All-County, Mid-State

Victoria Chism – All-County, Freshman Honors

Tyler Chitpanya – All-County, Mid-State

Lucia Dye – All-County, Freshman Honors

Alize Eubanks – All-County, Freshman Honors

Callie Gerbman – All-County

Ellek Hoskins – All-County

Eva Huntley – All-County

Mary Lauren Ivey – All-County

Claira James – All-County, Mid-State

Thomas Johnson – All-County, Mid-State

Kelsey Jones – All-County

Annabelle Kelton – All-County, Mid-State

Cameron Lewis – All-County

Halle Malone – All-County

Chandler Maples – All-County, Mid-State

Tristen Martin – All-County, Mid-State

Savannah Miller-Atnip – All-County

Caroline Morrison – All-County

Njeri Muchiri – All-County

Catherine Philips – All-County

Santiago Quinonez – All-County

Alexa Ribar – All-County

Abigail Rittenberry – All-County

Christina Robinson – All-County

Christopher Rowles – All-County, Freshman Honors

Nicholas Strength – All-County

Brionna Waldron – All-County

Amelia Watkins – All-County, Freshman Honors

 

Riverdale High School

Jazmin Enriquez-Cruz – All-County, Freshman Honors

Jamie Hiatt – All-County

Hayleigh Mitchell – All-County

Tawni Phakousonh – All-County

Madison Raney – All-County

Aubry Redhair – All-County

Lexi Sells – All-County, Freshman Honors

Shelleah Stephens – All-County

Elexis Thepthongsay – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

 

Rockvale High School

Alec Arocho – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Shelby Baltimore – All-County, Mid-State

Evie Bennett – All-County

Josie Bloom – All-County, Freshman Honors

Luisa Buzard – All-County, Mid-State

Madison Deveriman – All-County

Jayson Gallardo – All-County, Freshman Honors

Charli Light – All-County

Luisangela Limpio – All-County, Freshman Honors

Tenbit Wondwosen – All-County, Freshman Honors

 

Siegel High School

Riley Allen – All-County

Xavier Arhagba – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Jada Baer – All-County

McKibben Barnett – All-County, Mid-State

Grayce Basham – All-County

Miya Blish – All-County

Bryona Browner – All-County, Mid-State

Leilani Castro – All-County

Braxton Collins – All-County

Hallie Davis – All-County, Mid-Sstate, All-State

Kai Earwood – All-County, Freshman Honors

Lexi Escobedo – All-County

Paige Farrow – All-County

Karolina Garcia – All-County, Mid-State

Janet Hernandez – All-County

Kendan Hokanson – All-County

Haley Johnson – All-County, Mid-State

Luke Johnson – All-County

Kendall Latta – All-County, Mid-State

Jonas Marshall – All-County, Freshman Honors

Lillie McKeand – All-County, Freshman Honors

Ana McKinzie – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Carley Morris – All-County, Mid-State

Avery Osburn – All-County

Kate Pullias – All-County

Warren Quandt – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Baylie Ramsey – All-County

Isaac Ramsey – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Riley Rodgers – All-County, Mid-State

Jade Stanford – All-County, Freshman Honors

Natalie Sublett – All-County, Freshman Honors

Kenton Tracy – All-County, Freshman Honors

Sam Trout – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Caiden Tuck – All-County, Mid-State

Hayden Wright – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Tobi Yandle – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

 

Smyrna High School

Jennifer Alvarez Flores – All-County

Gavin Averhoff – All-County, Freshman Honors

Faith Carbonari – All-County, Mid-State

Keturah Cesar – All-County, Mid-State

Je’Veyaeh Chambers – All-County, Freshman Honors

Isabelle Cox – All-County, Mid-State

Bailey Croney – All-County

Aileen Fajardo – All-County

Lauren Glaeser – All-County, Mid-State

Rachel Harlan – All-County, Mid-State

Reece Hoffman – All-County, Mid-State

Anna Hulsey – All-County, Freshman Honors

Andre Mathis – All-County, Freshman Honors

Jordan Mathis – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Bronson Moore – All-County, Freshman Honors

Justin Villanueva – All-County, Mid-State

Cody Wade – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Logan Watson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Max Webb – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Austin Webster – All-County, Mid-State

 

Stewarts Creek High School

Kiyar Addie – All-County, Freshman Honors

Margaret Aldrich – All-County

Hailey Bagsby – All-County

Joseph Benedict – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Hailey Bove – All-County, Mid-State

Hannah Boyce – All-County

Makenzie Brown – All-County, Freshman Honors

Bia Byars – All-County, Mid-State

Jake Capistrant – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Arabella Ciani – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Jacob Dean – All-County, Freshman Honors

Catherine Denton – All-County, Freshman Honors

Olivia Evans – All-County, Mid-State

Valerie Ferkany – All-County, Freshman Honors

Bryson Fletcher – All-County, Freshman Honors

Logan Foster – All-County, Mid-State

Joyce Kathleen Foutch – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Ann Ghali – All-County, Mid-State

Aaron Goff – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Paige Hall – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Jacob Harper – All-County, Mid-State

Chloe Harris – All-County, Mid-State

Mia Herring – All-County, Freshman Honors

Scarlett Hicks – All-County

Violet Hicks – All-County, Freshman Honors

James Holaday – All-County

Madalyn Johnson – All-County

Katie Ledford – All-County, Mid-State

Daniel Light – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Katherine Light – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Blake Lloyd – All-County, Freshman Honors

Emma Locke – All-County, Mid-State

Gwynn Maitlen – All-County, Mid-State

Sandra Isabel Martinez – All-County, Mid-State

Grace McMurtry – All-County

Gabriela Medina Garcia – All-County, Freshman Honors

Savannah Morrison – All-County, Freshman Honors

Maya Mosley – All-County

Yanet Negusse – All-County

Bella Nelson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Darrin Nicholson – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Grace Owen – All-County, Freshman Honors

Jayce Parker – All-County, Mid-State

Logan Pritchett – All-County, Freshman Honors

Lily Rozevink – All-County

Cadence Russell – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Granville Sexton – All-County, Mid-State

Jacob Shelton – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Maggie Shelton – All-County, Freshman Honors

Jaiden Simon – All-County, Freshman Honors

Shandi Smith – All-County

Hope Tejeda – All-County

Elsie Unverzagt – All-County, Mid-State

Ethan Vickers – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Cloey Wade – All-County, Freshman Honors

Nevaeh Wallin – All-County, Mid-State

Katherine White – All-County

Estella Williams – All-County

Jude Williams – All-County, Mid-State, All-State

Johnathan Woodring – All-County, Mid-Sate

 

 

 

Students from Rutherford County Schools will receive Richard Siegel Music Excellence Awards from the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra this spring. 

 

The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra seeks to recognize musical excellence throughout the community with the Music Excellence Awards. Award recipients were nominated by their music teachers for displaying musical excellence, exemplary citizenship, and overall academic success. 

 

Award recipients will be recognized at the TPO's spring concert on Friday, April 22 at 7:00 PM at Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. The Siegel High School Choir will also be performing with the orchestra during the concert.  Award recipients, along with their music teachers and 2 guests, will receive free admission. More information about the concert can be found here: https://tnphil.org/event/spring-concert-with-the-siegel-choir/

 

Congratulations to all the award recipients!

 

 

 

Congratulations to the following RCS students who were selected for the 2021 Middle Tennessee Vocal Association Elementary and Middle School Honors Choirs:

Central Magnet School - Dr. Kimberly Saxon, Director

Molly Bartsch

Paisley Bruns

Madi Duggin

Allison Fisher

Justice Hartley

Lydia King

Danika Lee

Marleigh Parker

 

Christiana Middle School – Elizabeth Schenck, Director

Aubrey Bordelin

Julianne Craft

Josiah Davenport

Liam Romero

 

Eagleville School – Madalynn Skelton, Director

Emily Brown

Jireh Carlton

Addison Lewis

Adeline Trail

Ashlee Underwood

 

McFadden School of Excellence – Christina Stuible, Director

Kruz Blackwell

Isaac Dwyer

Adhvaya Haridasan Nair

Athul Haridasan Nair

Lorelai Richardson

 

Oakland Middle School – Melissa Meares, Director

McKayla Baxter

Elizabeth Callendar

Bailie Davis

Izzy Fiore

Will Hopkins

Andrew Malone

Luke Parker

Gavin Pearson

Belle Segura

 

Plainview Elementary School – Miranda Womack, Director

Mya Beamer

Keelyn Bowlin

Emily Hopkins

 

Rock Springs Middle School – Lorna Pyka, Director

Jackson Baker

Makenzie Brown

Destiny Clayborn

Aniyah Davis

Mia Puschmann

Olivia Verchota

 

Rockvale Middle – Juliana McKinney, Director

Jayson Gallardo

Kiara Robinson

 

Rocky Fork Middle School – Michael Petrone, Director

Ava Eckenrode

Luke McLeod

Bronson Moore

Jason Parker

 

Stewarts Creek Middle School – Seth Gregory, Director

Emmett Aune

Gage Castello

Marie-Luise Fields

Bryson Fletcher

Maggie Jones

Lydia Negusse

Logan Pritchett

Logy Tadros

 

Two Rutherford County Schools alumni are set to perform with the Nashville Symphony in an upcoming concert titled, “Next Generation of Classical Musicians.” 

 Aalia Hanif (Central Magnet School, Class of 2019) will perform Borne’s Fantaisie Brillante from Bizet’s Carmen on Flute, and Bernard Ekwuazi (Blackman High School, Class of 2020) will perform Larsson’s Concertino for Trombone and String Orchestra. 

Hanif, who is currently a junior majoring in music at Northwestern University, took some time out of her busy schedule to talk about the upcoming performance. She said she is looking forward to returning to the Nashville area to make her solo debut with the first orchestra she ever heard.  

Hanif began playing piano at age 5 but did not like to practice that instrument. She later found her true musical love in the flute. Hanif knew she wanted to pursue music as a career because, she said, “music was the thing that made me excited. It’s what made me happy.”  

Hanif credited her band teachers at Central Magnet School with helping her achieve her musical goals. “Mr. Mears and Mr. Click were not only some of the greatest teachers, but also helped me through everything and gave me so much support,” she said. 

One of Hanif’s band directors from Central Magnet School, John Mears, recalled her dedication and talent.  

“She was the kind of student who was in a practice room before school started, and in a practice room again after school,” Mears said. He also remembered how Hanif gave back with her talent by giving lessons to younger flute students in the band program.  

Mears said that Hanif always worked to a “high degree” and always wanted to go the extra mile in her musical studies.  

 As a sophomore in high school, she became one of the first students to be accepted into the Nashville Symphony’s Accelerando program, an initiative designed to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for careers as orchestra musicians. As an Accelerando student, she took flute lessons from Nashville Symphony flutist, Leslie Fagan, and attended masterclasses.  

Hanif explained she is nervous but excited for her debut performance with the Nashville Symphony. She said, “the Nashville Symphony has been a backbone of my development; I have always dreamed of playing on that stage.”  

Hanif gave some advice for younger musicians hoping to pursue a career in music: “Try to expose yourself to as many musical outlets as you can,” she said. “Practice - but also remember at the end of the day that you’re still a person. Find yourself in a community of musicians.” 

Ekwuazi, who also participated in the symphony’s Accelerando program while in high school, is currently in his second year studying trombone performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.  

Hanif and Ekwuazi will perform with the Nashville Symphony on Nov. 4, 5 and 6. 

Further information about the performance and ticket sales can be found here: https://www.nashvillesymphony.org/ 

 

Chandler Currier joined the band in 6th grade at Stewarts Creek Middle School. He had no musical experience and did not even know what most of the instruments were. He just knew he wanted to “be part of something bigger than me.”  

Chandler started out playing the trombone, but his band teacher, Mr. Andrew Lynn, had something bigger in mind. He soon asked Chandler to switch over to playing the tuba. “I didn’t even know what it was,” Chandler said of the large instrument he would eventually learn to master. But he loved the low sound, and he wanted to do what was best for the band. And so, Chandler become a tuba player.  

Just 7 years after starting band at Stewarts Creek, Chandler is setting on a new journey: to the world-renowned Juilliard School of Music.  

Chandler credited his teachers at Stewarts Creek with giving him the foundation he needed to be successful.  

 “I will say that starting band at Stewarts Creek Middle School had a profound impact on me because of the teachers. The teachers here are phenomenal. I keep coming back here [to help} because of the teachers.”  

The teachers at Stewarts Creek High School helped Chandler take his musicianship to the next level. Chandler said the high school band directors – Michael Chester and Debbie Burton – are honest, funny, and encouraging. “They don’t just teach the basics,” he said, “They also teach students how to be musical.”  

Among Chandler’s fondest memories is that he was able to perform at the Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference twice - with SCMS in 2017 and SCHS in 2018 

“It shaped my personality – I wouldn’t be the person I am without the teachers and experiences I had,” said Candler. 

In the summer of 2019, Chandler auditioned and was accepted to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp. He played in the orchestra that summer, under the direction of world-class musicians. “It was an experience I’ll never forget,” he said. Chandler then decided to audition for the Interlochen Arts Academy for his senior year – and got in.  

Although it was a difficult decision to leave SCHS for his senior year, the bonds he formed during his time at SCMS and SCHS continued on. “My relationships with my teachers and friends from here did not go away,” he said. His middle and high school band teachers continued to serve as a support system, tuning in for his live-streamed concerts and giving feedback on his college audition recordings. “They were always there for me,” Chandler said.  

Chandler auditioned for 6 colleges total, and ended up with the opportunity to choose one of several offers from some of the best music schools in the nation. After a lot of thought, Chandler chose Juilliard.  

Chandler is now attending the Juilliard School in New York with the goal of becoming a professional orchestral musician and college tuba professor.  

When asked what he might say to a young student thinking of joining band or choir for the first time, he said “You only get one chance, so do it! It’s been the best part of my life. It will always be the best part of my life. I don’t regret any bit of it. The thing about band is the people you meet, the person you become, and the path it sets for you early on.” 

Candler added, “Just playing an instrument itself is beautiful, and everyone should be a part of it.” 

 

It’s official – Rutherford County Schools has been named one of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education – for the third year in a row!

RCS has been honored with this national recognition from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 22^nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world.

Best Communities for Music Education designees are selected based on detailed information including access and opportunity, funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. The information was reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University Kansas.

This year’s award is extra special because it reflects the commitment of Rutherford County Schools and the surrounding community to not just support – but STRENGTHEN – music and arts programs in our schools over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing that music is one of the most effective ways to keep students engaged in school, RCS ensured that music instruction continued for both traditional and distance learners throughout the pandemic.

Here are just a few things that make music education in RCS special:

• Every elementary school student in RCS has access to regular music instruction taught by a full-time, certified music teacher at their school.
• Middle and High School students can choose to participate in instrumental music, vocal music, or general music offerings.
• During the pandemic, RCS utilized research-based mitigation strategies (such as instrument covers and distancing) to ensure students were able to continue making music.
• For 2020-21, RCS provided music-specific technology to ensure teachers and students were able to continue music instruction whether they were in-person or distance learning.
• RCS has been home to more mid-state vocalists than any other middle Tennessee district for many years in a row.
• RCS ensembles regularly earn awards and recognitions and are selected to play for state conventions.
• RCS music teachers regularly collaborate to grow as professionals and share their knowledge with one another to strengthen ALL music programs.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation shines a national spotlight on what we already know: Music education is a thriving and vital part of our schools and in our community in Rutherford County.