The Victoria Independent School District (VISD) is proud to announce that Stephen Spacek, a senior at Victoria East High School, has been selected for the Texas All-State Band, a distinguished achievement in the realm of high school music education. This honor reflects VISD’s dedication to fostering excellence and talent, as outlined in our strategic plan and backed by robust stakeholder feedback emphasizing the value of fine arts in education.
Stephen is among the top 2% of over 70,000 students from across Texas who auditioned for this prestigious recognition. His journey to the Texas All-State Band involved advancing through three competitive rounds: District Tryouts in November, Region Tryouts in December, and Area Tryouts in January. His selection is the 7th time a VISD student has earned a position in the All-State Band, all from East, underscoring the district’s commitment to nurturing exceptional talent.
In February, Stephen will travel to San Antonio to rehearse and perform with other top students from across the state during the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Music Conference. This event is the largest of its kind in the United States, showcasing the best in young musical talent.
The achievement also highlights the significant impact of fine arts on academic performance. The 2022 Texas All-State Musicians’ average SAT score was 1307, well above the national average of 1050 and the Texas average of 1013, demonstrating the positive correlation between arts education and academic success.
“The TMEA All-State process is no easy feat,” said Stephen. “It is an honor to have made history in my high school music career with my French Horn.”
Having placed 2nd in District since his freshman year throughout the TMEA process, finishing 2nd in District once again was unsatisfactory for Stephen. After placing 1st in 5A at Regionals, but 6th overall, he was more determined than ever. “During the Winter Break, I devoted my time and effort to perfecting my audition pieces,” said Stephen. Feeling like he had been overly critical towards his playing when preparing for previous auditions, he took a more positive approach towards preparing for Area. Stephen recorded himself playing, complimenting and critiquing his playing while acknowledging what he did best. “I had gotten much more efficient at practicing my audition pieces, and I had felt very confident in my playing, and I was ready to take up the challenge of the Area auditions,” said Stephen.
The East senior’s new approach paid off. After longing for the title since 7th grade, with hard work, drive, and determination, Stephen earned a position in the All-State Band. “There is no better feeling than that,” said Stephen. “I am now an All-State Musician, and it is an honor to be representing not only my school but the entire city of Victoria.”
“We could not be more proud of Stephen’s success,” said VEHS Band Director Carlos Gonzalez. “This is not an accomplishment that happens overnight, or even in one school year. This takes years of focused practice and the commitment to work on your craft even when it’s not fun or easy. As a freshman, Stephen set a goal of making the Texas All-State Band, and his dedication and strong work ethic has paid off. We are excited that he will get to have this incredible experience. He has truly earned it!”
Victoria Independent School District remains committed to promoting a comprehensive educational experience. The success of students like Stephen Spacek in prestigious state-level competitions exemplifies the district's dedication to academic and artistic excellence. We celebrate Stephen’s remarkable accomplishment and the vibrant fine arts program at VISD that has fostered his and many other students’ talents.
“Over the six-and-a-half-month audition process I have learned so much," said Stephen. “However, the most important lesson that I can share is that auditions do not define a musician; it’s the work they put in that matters.”