By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Students from across the Dale County area are striking all the right notes this year, as months of practice, discipline, and determination paid off in a big way. Following highly competitive auditions conducted by the Alabama Bandmasters Association on January 31, top-performing local students earned coveted selections to the 2026 District VIII Honor Bands and All-State Bands, recognition solely reserved for the top young musicians from across Alabama’s schools.
Carroll High School
All-State Band:
Carroll High School had multiple students selected for the All-State Band, including Isaiah Driskell and Elijah Cobb, who were chosen for the Red Band; Wyatt Case and Kyran Bonner, who performed with the White Band; and Abram West, who earned placement in the Blue Band. Adrien Ernandes was named an All-State alternate.
District VIII Honor Band:
Carroll’s District VIII Honor Band selections included Kaden Bryant and Brookelyn Matthews.
D.A. Smith Middle School
All-State Band:
Jenna Tice earned selection to the Middle School All-State Band on bass clarinet.
District VIII Honor Band:
Additional D.A. Smith students earning Honor Band recognition included Major Farrier on alto saxophone, Tionna Harrington, Alexis Thomas, Noah Pattberg, and Addie Smith on clarinet, as well as Lilly Davis on trombone.
Daleville High School and Daleville Middle School
All-State Band honors included Jetmuel Torres Lopez, Aiden Gonzalez, Ava Ware, Greyson Partin, Natalie Juarez, Francisco Hernandez, Cayler Manuel Sian, Karlee Bess, Emma Skiffington, Abigale Whitehead, Avery Brooks, Brandon Mauldin, Aaron Hernandez, and Sofia Velazquez.
Students named as Alternates for All-State Band were Connor Stratton, Eva Mendez, and Ashton Kasper.
District Honor Band
Nik Cook, Brett Irwin, Alie Staley, Jesse Marrero, and Jionni Roblez.
Dale County High School
District VIII Honor Band:
Dale County High School honorees included Carli Moates on flute and Laina Stanchina on trumpet. The school also recognized Michael Snellgrove on trumpet for his achievement during the district honor band selection process.
South Dale Middle School
District VIII Honor Band:
South Dale Middle School was represented by Declan Jolley, who earned Honor Band recognition on baritone.
Wicksburg High School
All-State Band:
Wicksburg High School was represented at the All-State level by Millie Smith, a middle school student selected on alto saxophone, and Jaiden McMillan, who earned All-State honors on bass clarinet at the high school level.
District VIII Honor Band:
Additional Wicksburg students earning District VIII Honor Band recognition included Millie Smith on middle school alto saxophone, Wyatt Enns on middle school baritone, Henry Jones on middle school trombone, Jaiden McMillan on high school bass clarinet, and Abrahm Sewell on high school trombone.
Selections for Honor Band and All-State ensembles are based on rigorous auditions that evaluate tone quality, technique, rhythm, and musical expression. Students selected represent some of the most accomplished young musicians in Alabama and will participate in regional clinics and performances later this year. The students named to the Honor Band will compete March 6-7, and Enterprise High School will host the event.
*An earlier version of this story inadvertently omitted Jessee Marrero from Daleville. We apologize for the oversight and have made the correction.
