Seven McAllen High students advance in 1st round of state auditions

Seven student musicians from McAllen ISD’s McAllen High School have advanced past the first round of auditions in the 2025 TMEA All-State Mariachi auditions.

“They battled it out against the best students from all over Region 15, earning the top spots and advancing to the next round of Area and State auditions on their quest to become 2025-26 TMEA All-State musicians,” McAllen High Mariachi Oro Instructor  Alex Trevino said.

The students include Caleb Arellano (1st Chair Violin), Caleb Gámez (1st Chair Guitarrón), Antonio Gámez (1st Chair Trumpet), Allyson Contador (2nd Chair Violin), Isabel Garza-Johnson (2nd Chair Guitar), Isabella Sánchez-Wong (10th Chair Violin, 1st Alternate) and Brandon Chavero (5th Chair Trumpet, 2nd Alternate).

Gámez and Contador were the only freshmen in the entire Region and Area to advance and earn a spot in the next round, Trevino noted.

Also, all six violin students who auditioned made it into the top 18 spots. In the Trumpet Section, all those who auditioned made into the top five spots.

“The TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) All-State Mariachi process is an extremely challenging one where students must perform at the highest levels as both instrumentalists and vocalists in order to earn a spot among the best of the best,” Trevino said.

McAllen High Mariachi Oro tied for the highest number of 1st chairs earned and the team also secured five of the 18 spots that advance in addition to two alternate positions.