Savannah Guyer @SavannahMGuyer [Feature Editor]

Last Saturday, the 25th of October, marked the date that many Marion choir and band members had been looking forward to nervously for awhile. Tiegan Wilson, junior, is just one of the anxious few who experienced the thrill of All State, the Iowa High School Music Association Music Festival.

Wilson’s involvement in band throughout his life is what got him to the All State stage in the end. “I was in fifth grade when I joined band. My older sister had been in it as well and I just thought it looked cool, so I decided to try it,” Wilson commented. Joining band was just the first step into his journey, his first major choice was which instrument he would go with. “I chose the baritone because it was the one instrument that sat on the shelf the entire time I was trying out others, and I thought I should give it a try,” Wilson went on to say.

When high school came, Wilson made sure his schedule fit around band while staying on track for graduation. Now, in his junior year, the shifting of classes seems to have paid off. “To be at All State was incredible. It was very, very nerveracking,” Wilson stated. Wilson’s anxiousness made him dedicated to get everything flawless for his audition. “I spent hours and hours practicing the same things over and over to make it perfect. I tried not to let my nerves control me, and in the end, they didn’t,” Wilson added.

The baritone player of six years was ecstatic when he made it through the rounds straight to All State. “I was excited to have made it, but it just means that I get to spend the next three weeks practicing new songs,” Wilson clarified. Though Wilson actually made it, he encourages fellow students to audition no matter the outcome. “For anyone who’s in band or choir, try out for All state because it just makes you better at what you do, whether you make it or not,” Wilson explained.

With a little confidence and a diligent attitude, Wilson conquered his nerves and made it into All State. His experience will make him better at handling his instrument, and hopefully encourage others to do the same.