Students from Manor High School and Manor New Tech High School have earned state qualification, the highest honor available, at the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest, according to a March 28 announcement by Manor Independent School District.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for student musicians in the district. In the contest, participants perform individually or in small groups before judges who evaluate their musicality, technique, and performance quality. Only those who receive top ratings at the regional level advance to the state competition.
At Manor High School, band soloists Kayla Garcia and Jayden Reyes qualified on marimba under director Andrew Quinn. Choir soloists Mary Okpara, Tracy Annecka Tantiongco, Zion Calahan, Izayah Malik, and Jonathan Garcia-Lopez also advanced. The choir ensemble members Xochitl Garcia, Valeria Robert Castro, Xiamara Mills, Zion Calahan, Izayah Malik, and Angel Daniels qualified as well under director Dr. Tyler Hughes.
From Manor New Tech High School’s band program led by Ricardo Rodriguez, soloists Ireoluwa Adesanya (French horn), Ellen Guerrero Melendez (keyboard percussion), Oriana Iwabuchi (keyboard percussion), Yaretzi Landin Rostro (keyboard percussion), Liam Salinas (keyboard percussion), and Isaac Sosa (keyboard percussion) earned state qualification. Flute ensemble members Ashley D’Cruz, Kylie Lien, Muneera Shaheryar; brass ensemble members Ireoluwa Adesanya, Brenden McNealy, Dario Reyes Gomez, Eli Rodriguez, Hayden Sheard and Daniel Vega also advanced. Choir soloists Joshua Rhea and Lauren Lara were recognized under director Samantha Miller.
Manor Independent School District served more than 10,000 students across 15 campuses according to its official website. The district operated eight elementary schools, three middle schools one PreK-8 campus three high schools and one alternative learning campus according to its official website.
The district has been recognized as a District of Distinction in visual arts by the Texas Art Education Association according to its official website. It supported students pursuing college-level athletics with annual signing opportunities according to its official website, encouraged community involvement through student-led initiatives focused on positive contributions according to its official website, and focused on providing equitable high-quality education for each scholar’s full development according to its official website.
This recognition at UIL Solo & Ensemble reflects both individual effort from students as well as ongoing support from directors across music programs within Manor ISD.
