Three Montezuma-Cortez High School students are taking part in the Colorado All-State Band, after competing against 886 students from 158 schools for a spot.
Through an intensive audition process, senior Ryan Cutrone and junior Haley Carr secured a seat, while junior Kira Galbraith was named a first alternate. The annual band is hosted by the University of Northern Colorado’s music department, and the trio will travel up to Greeley at the end of March for the three-day event.
The All-State Band consists of two 110-student ensembles: a Concert Band and a Symphonic Band. The Cortez students will take part in the Concert Band, which is open only to those from high schools of 1,100 students or fewer, based on the 2017-18 enrollment count.
The Concert Band will be led by Jay Gephart, a guest conductor from Purdue University.
Cutrone plays euphonium, while Carr and Galbraith are both on the clarinet. The band will take place from March 28-30, and is sponsored by the University of Northern Colorado School of Music, the Colorado Music Educators Association and the Colorado High School Activities Association.