A Day in the Life of an All-Region Coyote

Written by Zane Brannan

   Most students begin their day between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, but for All-Region band students, mornings are anything but ordinary. These dedicated musicians wake up even earlier, seizing every spare moment to refine their craft. For them, the road to All-Region is one of the most strategic, competitive, and stressful journeys of their lives. It’s not just a competition, it’s a lifestyle.
While the average student’s day might include school, homework, dinner, and chores, All-Region students weave practice into every available sliver of time. Whether it’s early morning rehearsals or late-night scales, they train relentlessly both mentally and physically to prepare for the demanding three-phase competition that lies ahead.
    The first phase begins early in the morning at a nearby middle school, where the pressure is palpable. This phase is a make-or-break moment. If students don’t advance here, their journey ends before it truly begins. It’s the most nerve-wracking part of the competition, where every note and every beat can mean the difference between moving forward or being eliminated. Students tend to wake up early, eat breakfast, and hop on the bus to all-region with one of the most nervous drives of their life. Others drive to all-region at their designated time and wait impatiently for their results.
     For those who pass the first hurdle, the second phase begins after school. The stakes are higher, and the competition tougher. But for those who persevere, the reward is immense: the honor of representing their entire school. This is not easy by all means. Only students Skyler Moiser, Camila Aleman, John Tambe, and Rebecca Wallis have managed to pass the first phase. Then comes the final phase, the pinnacle of the All-Region experience, where only the best of the best compete. This stage is the ultimate test of skill, focus, and determination. The odds of making it are slim, but these students have long since learned not to shy away from challenges. Instead, they rise to the occasion, pouring their heart and soul into their performance, playing as if it’s the last note they’ll ever play. Students get an exceptional amount of time to practice for this phase. Most practice after or during school but some coyotes take it a step further and come before school starts.