Select Dreyfoos music students participated in the annual Florida Music Educators Association, more commonly known as All State,  from Jan.9-12.

“Everyone in the whole state has to audition to go to All State. There are spots for anything musical,” strings junior Taisuke Yasuda said. “The best ones are chosen to go to Tampa, where we take classes from guest conductors and teachers. On the last day we have a concert. There are sections for different grades, which include chorus, orchestra, and band.”

These guest conductors impart invaluable knowledge on the students they work with. Many of them are university professors who have a lot of experience teaching music.

“Dr. Jimenez from Florida Atlantic University led our orchestra,” Yasuda said. “His teaching was different from what I’m used to. He really stressed balance between the instruments and a more open sound. He taught us not to put so much effort into our playing, how to be more relaxed. He taught us not to bring out the sound by force.”

It was also a great benefit that these teachers had professional conducting experience. This made them very versatile in their understanding.

“Conductors are sometimes better at working with specific instruments in the orchestra,” band junior Kimberly Le said. “But Dr. Jimenez knew how to work the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion [students].”

Another important part of All State is the atmosphere that the participants create. Each student’s passion for what they’re doing inspires their fellow musicians to work harder.

“In school, some people are more lax with their music because we get to practice every day for a long time,” Le said. “But at All State we only had 2-3 days. There was a lot more intensity, and everyone was on the same level [of dedication]. We all wanted to make a great concert.”

There’s no doubt that the conference was a lot of work for the students involved. They practiced gladly and put all the effort they could into the music.

“We played for about six hours each day,” band senior Sarah Barden said. “But the exhausting rehearsals were worth playing with the most talented musicians in the state. Overall, I had an amazing experience this year.”

Memories of the conference stay with students forever. The time they put in, the friendships they formed, and the music they made has become an invaluable part of their high school years.

“This was my last year at All-State, since I’m graduating. But the four years that I went to All –State were unforgettable experiences,” Barden said. “I wish I could stay there forever.”