Ranchview High School senior Aaron Jacob made the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) All-State Jazz Band on piano. 

He will perform in the All-State Jazz Ensemble before thousands of attendees in San Antonio at the TMEA Clinic/Convention on February 8-11, 2023. 

“This is historic news,” said Jarred Carlton, Ranchview High School Director of Bands. “This is Ranchview’s first ever All-State jazz musician.”

Jazz band students competed at the region level in September, where Jacob placed first. He then advanced to the area competition that consisted of the top players from each region sending in recordings of themselves playing individually. From these recordings, judges selected the All-State placements. Jacob competed against 40 other students from all over the state who had advanced to the area round of competition. 

Ranchview HS also had two state runner ups for the jazz competition who will serve as alternates for the state ensemble. Senior Gavin Skrznnski made second chair on baritone saxophone and senior David Martini made third chair on tenor saxophone.

“TMEA only takes one baritone saxophone and two tenor saxophones out of the entire state,” Carlton said. “I am proud of all three of these students especially since this is only the fourth year of the jazz band’s existence at Ranchview.”