Two Atlantic Band Students have been selected into the 80th annual Iowa High School Music Associations (IHSMA) Band, Orchestra, and Choir Festival.
Approximately 900 students were in Atlantic auditioning for a chance to be chosen for this select group of individuals. Atlantic had two students make the ensembles. Gabrielle Engler was selected on Bass Clarinet for the All-State Band. This is the second year in a row that Gabrielle has been selected.
Michael Hocamp was selected to be a member of the All-State Orchestra on Tuba. This is a high honor as there are only two tubas in the All-State Orchestra, and Michael was the top auditioner of the day.
District Auditions for the 276-piece All-State Band, 220-piece All-State Orchestra, and 601-member All-State Chorus were held Saturday, October 24, 2026, at LeMars, Hampton, Independence, Atlantic, Indianola, and Iowa City. Approximately 17% of the students who audition are selected for membership in the All-State ensembles.
Participants will rehearse in Ames on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, and the Festival Concert will be presented to the public at 7:30 PM in Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University, Ames, on Saturday evening,
November 21, 2026. Iowa PBS will record the concert for re-broadcast. Please check the Iowa PBS website (www.iowapbs.org) for the exact dates and times. This program is under the auspices of the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association.
Both students will travel to Ames November 19-21 to participate in the event with a concert taking place on the evening of the 21st in Hilton Coliseum.
