Mary Wardrop is a tenth grader who earned a spot in the top band in North Carolina. To get into All-State band Mary had to get into All-District band and had to be in the top few seats of All-District to even get the opportunity to audition for All-State band.

“It is a huge honor for a student to even have the opportunity to audition for All-State,” said Brian Munoz, band teacher “ To be eligible, a musician must first make a high chair in the All- District band which is a feat in itself. I am extremely proud of the effort and accomplishments Mary has achieved this year.”

To get to even audition for All-State Wardrop had to do well in All-District.

“All district band is an honor band where everyone from around your particular district like, for example Wakefield is central district and there are also schools like Broughton and Green Hope in our district. You audition against a large amount of people for only a couple of spots,” said Sarah Dumont, All-District participant.

Not only was Sarah in All-District band with Mary but they also have band together at school. Mary seems to have inspired all the kids in band with her to strive to do better.

“Mary is an amazing French horn player and she plays exceptionally well on every piece of music she plays,” said Dumont. “Mary has a very infectious personality and she is able to fit in places very easily and I think she impacts the students that way as well as they see a sophomore making all these top honor bands and some of them may think oh hey I want to be like her and get into honor bands. I really love the fact that Mary is doing all these things to get better at her French horn. It really makes me happy to see that she loves music enough to care about trying out for these bands.” 

Mary is a great horn player according to her friends. Her teacher doesn’t take credit for Mary’s accomplishment.

“Mary came into the Wakefield Band program as an accomplished horn player,” said Brian Munoz. “She has the drive to work hard, practice, and achieve. I have offered her opportunities to continue to grow through the music we play, solos and the lessons provided in class. I have simply supported her continued growth.”

Her teacher has a lot of confidence in Mary and so do her friends. This sophomore is held up to a different standard because of her skills on the French horn and joins a list of other students from Wakefield to get into All-State throughout the years. All-State is the highest honor in North Carolina but there are bands beyond that as well.

“There are national ensembles/competitions students can also audition for, but I am confident Mary could make these ensembles as well,” said Munoz.