HARLINGEN — He spent the summer practicing long, almost inhuman hours, stretching his musical prowess to the limit.
Josue Ayala’s hard work paid off.
The Harlingen High School senior has qualified to perform next month at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention in San Antonio.
“I am very humbled that I am going to perform with the best of the best,” said Josue, 18, a saxophone player.
While Josue and Matthew Garcia, a 15-year-old viola student, have already qualified to perform at the convention Feb. 8 – 11, more than 20 Harlingen music students auditioned yesterday. Ronnie Rios, music director for the Harlingen school district, is looking forward to learning how many students will qualify.
He expressed admiration for Matthew’s and Josue’s plans to perform next month.
“I feel it’s very well-deserved,” Rios said. “They are very, very hardworking students. There’s going to be more. These kids are very dedicated.”
Matthew, a sophomore at Harlingen School for Health Professions, said his audition consisted of sending a recording to judges who then made their determination.
“The TMEA convention, from what I’ve heard, is one of the biggest music conventions in the nation,” he said. “Texas’ pride is having their all-state groups there to perform.”
Matthew, who plans to pursue medicine after high school, is accustomed to tough competition. He’s already performed three times at Carnegie Hall, twice with the Middle School Honors Series and last year with the National Youth Orchestra 2.
Needless to say, auditioning to play at the All-State conference next week wasn’t quite as trying. But it wasn’t a cake walk either.
“I really didn’t think that I would get in because I actually kind of put it on the backburner,” he said. “I hadn’t practiced as much because I was getting ready for the New York audition. If I get in to All-State, it’s OK. If I don’t get in to All-State, it’s OK. So when I did find out that I made it to All-State, I was pretty excited.”
Whatever the competition or event, Josue’s first priority seems to be the saxophone. Last summer, he practiced from 2 p.m. until 3 a.m.
There’s passion for an instrument and then there’s …?
“I love practicing,” said Josue, who plans to study music after high school. “It’s a joy to me. I got better than I was before. I was determined to make the band.”
Rios said he knows Josue very well.
“He’s one of the kindest, most genuine people you will ever meet,” he said.
These are two of Harlingen’s finest, the chosen few scheduled to perform next month with musicians from throughout the state. Yesterday some tough judges were determining who else will join them.
