The Thorsby High School Southern Pride Rebel Band made the cut at District V All-State tryouts Saturday, Jan. 29, in Prattville.

Thorsby High School had five out of six students make first chair for the District Honor Band on Feb. 18 and 19, an event that will be held at the University of West Alabama in Livingston.

The school also had one student to make the All-State Red Band, the highest honor given.

The students who will sit first chair for the District Honor Band and have also made the All-State Band include:

•8th Grader, Jaiden Faulkner, first chair percussion for the middle school band

•9th Grader, Adrienne Ellison, first chair alto clarinet for the high school band

•9th Grader, Samuel Gasson, first chair trumpet for the high school band

•11th Grader, Kyle Burdges, first chair tenor sax for the high school band

•12th Grader, Russell Hilyer, first chair bari sax for the high school band

In April, these students will re-audition for chair placement in the All-State Band.

“We already know that Jaiden Faulkner is in the Middle School All-State Band and Samuel Gasson is in the Red All-State Band,” said Stephen Pounders, band director.

This means, after their re-audition in Mobile they will be placed into the red, white or blue All-State Bands. The red band is the top band in the state, followed by the white and then blue.

“These three bands will make up the most outstanding musicians in the state,” said Pounders.

The All-State Band will be held on April 14-16, in Mobile.

“I have never been prouder of my students,” said Pounders. “They have worked very hard and have practiced numerous hours for this tryout.  I’m so glad their efforts will be rewarded.”