For many performing arts students at White Station, fall is not just a time of changing leaves, but it is the beginning of the All-West season. The West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association holds auditions for Orchestra All-West in November. All students who place attend the clinic in February. On Nov. 19, orchestra students from across West Tennessee traveled to Collierville High School for the auditions. The orchestra audition for high school involves students playing excerpts, three scales, and sightreading. From White Station’s orchestra, there were 34 students who placed, ten of which qualified for All-state, four of which were All-State alternates and there were also nine All-West alternates. To prepare for the big day, Charisse Conard (12), who placed 24th chair violin, not only practiced the elements of the audition, but the process of auditioning as well.

“For me, the auditioning process is shockingly quick,” Conard said. “As I left the second audition room with everything done, I realized while my shaky hand signed the score sheet, that it was truly over and it felt completely unreal. Months of practice over in like, five minutes.”

Jimmy He (12), who has been through the auditioning process many times, had difficulties with getting to his audition, but despite his late arrival, He placed as first chair violin making him the concertmaster of the symphony. 

“I got lost in Collieville like three times,” He said. “So, when I got there, and they called me up, I only had like 50 seconds to warm up and my fingers were still frozen. So, I went there and I played with frozen fingers and that did not feel good … I’m proud that I did that well with frozen fingers.”