Five Martin HS students earn All-Sate
Six Arlington ISD students are hitting all the right notes – and earning one of the highest honors in Texas music education.
Students from Arlington and Martin high schools have been named 2026 All-State Musicians by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), placing them among the top 3% of high school musicians in the state. Out of more than 70,000 students who begin the audition process each fall, fewer than 1,900 earn a spot in a Texas All-State ensemble.
“This is truly an honor that represents dedication, talent and thousands of hours of practice,” said Arlington ISD assistant director of fine arts Gary Barnard. “Our all-state students have learned to set a long-term goal, work for that goal, and then achieve it. These skills will serve them well in everything they do for the rest of their lives.”
The journey to All-State is rigorous. Students first compete at the regional level, performing selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument and voice part. The top musicians advance to area auditions, where they compete against the best from across multiple regions. Only the highest-ranking students at the area competition earn the opportunity to perform in one of 18 elite All-State ensembles.
Arlington ISD’s 2026 All-State Musicians are:
- Thomas Ingram-May, 12th grade, Martin HS – Bb Clarinet – 6A All-State Concert Band
- Arlo Peacock, 12th grade, Martin HS – String Bass – 6A All-State Concert Band
- Avaree Barton, 10th grade, Martin HS – Alto 1 – Large School All-State Mixed Choir
- Elijah Kerley, 11th grade, Martin HS – Tenor 2 – Large School All-State Mixed Choir
- Rose Nyamuhokya, 12th grade, Martin HS – Alto 1 – All-State Treble Choir
- Kaleb Ladd, 11th grade, Arlington HS – Tenor 1 – All-State Tenor-Bass Choir
These outstanding students will take the stage this week at the TMEA Convention in San Antonio, where they are performing alongside the best young musicians in Texas.
Congratulations to these talented Arlington ISD students for representing their schools and the Arlington ISD community at the highest level!