If you have ever had an audition, you would know the feeling: your stomach is tied up for hours before-hand. You have practiced for several months, dished out hundreds of dollars for private lessons, and prayed a thousand prayers that whatever happens you will not royally mess up. Now your only hope is that maybe, just maybe, they will pick you as one of the best. And it all depends on your performance during the next 10 minutes.

The only thing that matters is this single point in time. And then you end up waiting for those results…for so long that after a while you forget about it altogether. When the acceptance envelope finally arrives, it baffles you because you are not even sure who sent it or why. But as soon as your eyes skim over the first line, you realize that you made it. You are one of the best. That's right, over everyone else, they picked you to represent one of the top musical groups in Colorado.

It reads, "Congratulations!"

The Pomona students who received such a greeting for having been chosen for this year's All-State Choir include seniors Bill Bohm, Theresa Egan, and Michelle Vialpando.

Pomona All-State Band members are senior Melissa Graham and junior Christina Underwood. Alternates are seniors Jaime Lange, Jaci Lang, and Ross McComb.

Those who will be playing with the CU Honor Band are senior Melissa Graham; juniors Beth Burkey, Dan Pinkston and Christina Underwood; sophomores Joe Klapper and Mike Musick; and freshman Colin Sieg.

The Panthers who will be representing Pomona in the Jeffco Honor Band are seniors Erin Gillette, Melissa Graham, Megan Haycock, Jaci Lang, Ross McComb and Zach Sanchez; juniors Beth Burkey, Jason Epps, Asia Fajardo-Wright, Mandy Moss, Dan Pinkston, Courtney Pollock, and David Scarffe; sophomores Geoffrey Allen, Diana Bett, Danny Byrd, Elisabeth Forney, Tristan Jones, Joe Klapper, Jonathan Morrill, and Mike Musick; and freshmen Jamie Forde, Katie Otto, and Colin Sieg.

Eugene Corporon and Robert Reynolds, two of the top three conductors in the country, will be presiding over the CU Honor Band and All-State Band, respectively. Greg Bimm of Marian Catholic High School will be conducting the Jeffco Honor Band.

"Eugene Corporon should make this an awesome experience and lead us to an incredible performance. It's very exciting to be chosen for CU. It's such an honor… I've never been in a band entirely made up of motivated music lovers, and I think it will be an experience I will never forget," Pinkston reflected.

Indeed, those who were chosen for an honor band spoke of the privilege and honor of being able to perform with the leading musicians in the state. Not only do they look forward to an awesome performance, but also to the learning experience and cooperation that comes from working with the best.

"It's a great privilege to be able to perform with the most elite vocalists in the state…I personally think that the audience will react in a very positive manner because this group will be the best they've ever heard," senior Bill Bohm stated.

Sophomore Elisabeth Forney agreed, saying, "It's going to be great to have the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the county. Not only will we learn from each other, but we will get to help each other, too. I hope that the audience is pleased, and more importantly, moved by our performance. That's how you know you've done well--when it affects people who may not know all you're trying to

accomplish." Others simply look forward to being surrounded by those who feel as passionately about music as they do. "I've never been in a band entirely made up of motivated music lovers. I think it will be an experience I will never forget," explained Pinkston.

Those who were accepted are extremely grateful, thrilled, or even surprised at their accomplishment. Regarding making Jeffco Honor Band for the first time, junior Mandy Moss stated, "It's good to know that my hard work has paid off, and I will be able to be playing on stage with the cream of the crop." Forney was also excited with her achievement, and explained, "I was completely shocked that I had made it. I was unsure about my tryout, and I am definitely pleased with the outcome."

For those who are interested in continuing their music education after high school, making an honor group is one of the most highly esteemed accomplishments that will stand out on a resume. With the musical world as competitive as it is, being able to say you made CU Honor Band or All-State Choir or Band demonstrates your musical prowess in high school, and may even make you eligible for some scholarships.

Freshman Colin Sieg said, "I'll be able to put it on my college applications." He went on to explain that a college will be more likely to accept him with some documented proof of his abilities.

Bohm explained, "There are a few differences between the All-State level and the high school level. In the All-State level, the students respect each other as well as the director, while some students [in high school] have little or no respect… for each other." Moss said, "I get to work with different people and experience a new environment."