THS band student named to Association of Texas Small School Bands

Mason Drumm, a member of the Thorndale High School Band, was selected as a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands. He was chosen for this honor in competitive auditions held this year across the state at region and area levels. Mason is only the third Thorndale HS Band member to make the All-State Band; the first being in the mid-80’s and the second in 2004. Mason is a (private) student of “Sparky” Thomason and plays the trumpet at school under the direction of Michael Powers, who is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, a 1,175-member group of band directors in class 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A high schools in Texas. This is Mason’s fourth year to be in the position of section leader. This is his first time to perform as a member of the ATSSB All-State Band. His other interests at school include music, sports, and academics. He is also active in church activities at Pleasant Retreat Methodist and enjoys camping and other outdoor events as well. He is the son of Mark and Jennifer Drumm, of Thorndale. More than 10,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in twenty-two different regions for a place in their respective all-region bands. The top chairs in each region advanced to one of the five area auditions held this past weekend across the state and only 280 of these 2,288 students were selected for all-state honors. The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals in San Antonio, Feb. 13-16 and will present a concert beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Lila Cockrell Theatre of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. Dennis Johnson, Murray State University (Kentucky), will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Concert Band. Dr. Cody Birdwell, University of Kentucky, will be the clinician- conductor of the All-State Symphonic Band which will premier Springele by Jack Stamp (commissioned by ATSSB). Chris Bruya, Central Washington University, will be the clinician- conductor of the All-State Jazz Ensemble which will perform at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, in Convention Center Hemisfair Ballroom 1.