Regional Auditions for the Association of Texas Small-School Bands (ATSSB) were on Dec. 1 at Groesbeck High School, and five La Vega band members (flutists Nykeemah Harper and Lauren Shelton, clarinetist Erika Gonzalez, hornists Rydell Walthall and Jessica Hall) were chosen for the All-Region Symphonic Honor Band, and three more (hornist Maggie Kiss, trombonist William Huneke, and drummer Jerome Taylor) were chosen for the All-Region Concert Band.

Both groups were asked to return Dec. 8 for a clinic concert, where they practiced with both All-Region bands for a concert that evening. The symphonic band played “Concord,” “Greensleeves,” "Invercargill," and “Themes from Green Bushes.”

Of the approximately 50 flutists present for the audition, Harper was chosen fourth chair and Shelton fifth, while Walthall and Kiss were third and Hall sixth of 19 French horns, and Gonzalez sixth. Huneke and Taylor were also selected third chair.

The symphonic group was directed by John Young from Wills Point, while the concert band director was Richard Clem, who led "Flourish for Wind Band," "Wenceslas Variations," As Winds Dance," "Cluster Fluster Bluster March," and "America the Beautiful."

Gonzalez, Harper, Shelton, and Walthall also qualified for the Area Auditions scheduled for Jan. 5 at Robinson High School, where they hope to qualify for state.

On Nov. 30, approximately 50 junior-high band students also auditioned, and 23 were selected for the West Zone Middle School Honor Band, the most of any single school, including flutists Kasey Beers, Monica Kiss, Daniela Martinez, Priscilla Ojeda, Jennifer Ramirez, and Anita Rodriguez; clarinetists Shelby Chapman and Joshua Portwood; bass clarinetist Charlotte Lloyd; bassoonist Ashoanetee Neal; trumpeters Lupe Guerrero, Malik Hampton, Alrissa Inubiaraiye, and Joseph Wilson; hornists Bri’Tany Brown, Amanda Randolph, and Ruth Rusu; trombonists Kaitlin Anderson, Cody Beaird, and Demi Wood; baritonists Walker Freeman, Nathaniel Hailey, and Michael Lopez; and Dustin Bates on tuba.