TORRINGTON – It seems All-State judges simply can’t get enough of two Torrington High School seniors. Both Emi Glass and Brady Wilkes will participate in the exclusive annual clinic for the fourth straight year in January.
The invitation-only event features six other students from THS, as well as two from Lingle-Fort Laramie, who will gather with more than 450 of their peers from across the state in Casper on Jan. 20-22. The 2019 Wyoming All-State Band, Orchestra, and Choir Clinic culminates in the All-State Gala Concert on Tuesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 7 p.m. at Highlands Park Community Church.
Glass, daughter of Akemi and Gary, first picked up the French horn six years ago for sixth-grade band.
“I think I just really love the sound of the French horn,” she said. “I knew that not a lot of people took it on, and I thought that it would be a nice challenge. I just think it’s a beautiful-sounding instrument.
“I also knew some French hornists I really looked up to, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Glass added.
Wilkes, son of Kristin and Kwin, said his mother helped foster his love of music.
“Ever since I was little, my mom played piano,” he said. “It was through her musical talent that I grew to love singing.”
He will perform with the All-State Choir.
A testament to their dedication, Glass and Wilkes both admitted to practicing every day for a month before the All-State audition, including two practices on Sunday as the date grew nearer.
“I was really happy,” Glass said of achieving her All-State sweep. “This has been a goal of mine for awhile. I was just very happy. I was relieved – I was a little worried, you hear those stories about people who make All-State for a couple years and then don’t make it, I didn’t want that to be me.
“It’s subjective, too – that was a little worrying,” she continued. “I wasn’t sure my sound would appeal to whoever was listening.”
Wilkes agreed the invitation was a long-time goal.
“It was a sigh of relief,” he said. “I tried so hard, if I wouldn’t have made it …”
Both students stated the passion of their peers and instructors are highlights of the annual event.
“I love being a part of a phenomenal group of musicians – most of them are way more talented than I am – it’s very inspiring to be part of a group of that caliber. The clinicians are always amazing, too,” Glass said. “This year, I’m super excited because I’m in the band, the last three years I was in orchestra, so this will be a new experience for me.”
“The biggest thing is being around a bunch of musicians who have the same love for music as you do,” Wilkes said.
While this will be the final All-State experience of their high-school careers, both Wilkes and Glass plan to continue pursuing music in the future.
“I’m going to try and get some kind of music scholarship … I’m hoping that I’ll be able to play at a college level,” Glass said.
“Same,” Wilkes agreed. “I’m just going to go try to sing at colleges, but I may not major in it.”
