By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The tradition of excellence continues within the Union City High School band program.
Caleb Parker and Nijel Smith both earned Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) All State honors recently, the latest in a long line of Purple and Gold musicians to receive that distinguished award.
Parker, a junior, earned first-chair status on the elite list playing the oboe, while Smith, a senior, was selected as a sixth-chair trombone player.
Additionally, Madison Butner, a UCHS senior, was chosen along with Parker and Smith for the All West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA) group, Butner was named as a sixth-chair while playing the French horn.
Both Parker and Smith performed with the All-State band last weekend at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, entertaining those directors in attendance at the annual TMEA conference.
To gain All-State status, Parker and Smith auditioned in competition against other such talented musicians from all over Tennessee in their grade level.
First though, they, along with fellow Tornado band member Butner, earned All-West honors.
Upon receiving that designation – Parker as first-chair, Smith as fourth-chair, and Butner – performed as a group in Memphis.
UCHS band director Jason Deem spoke glowingly of the trio, noting their talents and work ethic in gaining notoriety among the best in the West Tennessee and the state.
“These three individuals are extremely gifted with their chosen instruments and the amount of extra work they put in to earn this honor is remarkable,” Deem claimed.
“We take great pride in the young people and their accomplishments in our program and these two certainly have put together their talents with a tremendous work ethic to join those who’ve been likewise honored from Union City High School in the past.
“It’s a huge honor for our school and our program, and a tradition we’re very proud of.”
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