students in the orchestra

Aidan Finnerud is once more among the top high school trumpet players in Texas. The Nacogdoches High School junior has been named an All-State Musician by the Texas Music Educators Association.

It’s the second consecutive year Aidan has been named All-State, but it will be the first time he performs with the Texas 6A Symphonic Band after last year’s performance was canceled because of the pandemic. The All-State band performance will take place on Feb. 12 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio as part of the 2022 TMEA clinic and convention.

“Once more, Aidan has simply excelled at playing the trumpet this year,” said NHS band director Jacob Weems. “Aidan is exceptionally talented, and we’re so proud of what he has accomplished as a member of the Dragon band.”

All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. More than 70,000 students in Texas entered the audition process during this school year, and 1,875 were selected.

Aidan is a member of the Golden Dragon Marching Band under the direction of Weems. He is also a member of the East Texas Trumpet Studio where he studies with Max Mucino.