HOUSTON — The Association of Texas Small School Bands is pleased to announce the selection of the 2022 ATSSB All-State Band. 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 286 of these students were selected for all-state honors. The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals in San Antonio, Texas, February 9-12, 2022, and will present a concert beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, in the Lila Cockrell Theatre of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. Dr. Caroline Beatty (Texas State University) will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Concert Band which will premier Rising by Clifton Jones (commissioned by ATSSB). Dr. Emily Threinen (University of Minnesota) will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Symphonic Band which will premier The Essence of Memory by BJ Brooks (commissioned by ATSSB in honor of Darin K. Johns). Russell Schmidt (Valley Jazz Cooperative, Phoenix, Arizona) will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Jazz Ensemble which will perform at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2019, in the Convention Center Hemisfair Ballroom 1-2.
Four members of the Natalia High School band were selected for the 2022 ATSSB All-State Band. They are Kate Robinson, Bass Clarinet; Thomas Ventimiglia, Bb Clarinet; Sergio Mendez, Trumpet; and Isaiah Santoya on the Trumpet.
“We are very proud of all students who auditioned at the Area contest,” Natalia Band Director Sergio Mendez said. “This is the first time we have multiple students make the State Band. In 2017 we had Santiago Leija on trombone, 2019 we had Jessica Aguilar, 2021 Sergio Mendez and now this year we have four students who will be representing the Natalia Band program in the State Band. We’re extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication our students are putting into their band program.”
This is Sergio Mendez’s second year in a row to make the All-State Band with his trumpet skills. His other interests also include baseball. He is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the son of Angelica and Sergio Mendez of Natalia.
Kate Robinson is making her first appearance in the All-State Band. She plays Bass Clarinet under the direction of Mr. Mendez. Her other interests include powerlifting, track and golf. She is a member of the Natalia Church of Christ and enjoys performing arts, musicals and cooking. Kate is the daughter of Lori and Christopher Robinson of Natalia.
Thomas Ventimiglia is making his first appearance in the All-State Band. He plays the Bb Clarinet. He is also a member of the Robotics team, and is a member of the Natalia Church of Christ. He also enjoys Boy Scouts of America, fishing and being outdoors, and the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio. Thomas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ventimiglia of Natalia.
Isaiah Santoya is also making his first appearance in the All-State Band. He plays the trumpet. He also participates in UIL academic competition, FFA, student government, Health Occupations Students of America, and is a manager for powerlifting and softball. He is also a member of Cornerstone Christian Church and is an HEB partner. He is the son of Ruby Bustamante and Ricardo Santoya of Natalia.