COM students Austin Kelton and Daniel Watson Make All-State Band

Austin Kelton and Daniel Watson, both music majors at College of the Mainland, have been selected via audition to perform with the Texas Community College Band Directors All-State Jazz Ensemble.

Austin and Daniel are trombone players.

“I am really happy for them” said Professor Sparky Koerner. “Both put in lots of practice on the audition music, and their work paid off.” 

Austin and Daniel are graduates of Texas City High School, Austin in 2017 and Daniel in 2015. As music majors, they were eligible to audition for the TCCBDA All-State group. 

They will perform in San Antonio at the Texas Music Educators Conference in February 2018.  Music will be sent to them so that they can prepare for rehearsals that will take place there prior to the concert.

They will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform under Alan Baylock, director of the One O’Clock Lab Band, at the University of North Texas.

“That will be exciting for them, considering Alan directs one of the best university jazz bands in the country,” Koerner said.

Over the many years Professor Koerner has been teaching at COM, 28 students have performed in All-State and All-Star jazz groups.

Both Austin and Daniel perform with the COM Jazz Ensemble.