January 30, 2019 – Six Collin College music students have earned seats in the 2019 Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA) All-State Ensembles and will perform during the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention in San Antonio, Feb. 13-16. Six selections is the largest number taken from Collin College in a single year.
The students selected for this honor are: Ian Larsen, trumpet, selected to the TCCBDA jazz ensemble; Aydin Radoncic, trumpet, jazz ensemble; Jeffrey Ray, trumpet, jazz ensemble; Kayla Rinaldi, baritone saxophone, jazz ensemble; Manuel Saeb Rodriguez, clarinet, symphonic band; and Bonnie Sheppard, clarinet, symphonic band. Both Larsen and Rinaldi have been selected for their second consecutive year.
“These students have dedicated themselves to their craft and represent some of the finest musicians which Collin College has to offer,” said Dr. Garry Evans, dean of Academic Affairs at Collin College. “Our music department is delighted with their selection to these ensembles.”
The jazz ensemble and symphonic band will both perform in free public concerts on Saturday, Feb. 16 in the HemisFair Ballroom of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. The jazz ensemble will play at 3:30 p.m. The symphonic band will play at 6:30 p.m.
Collin students have been selected for TCCBDA All-State Ensembles every year but one since 2006. This is the first year the college has had six students selected.
Collin College serves more than 55,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development. In addition, the college operates the Collin Higher Education Center, which serves 3,500 additional students each year in partnership with The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas.