Escalon High School student Drew Bellinger completed a unique musical tour recently.

The teen, who auditioned and made the All-State Honor Band, was in Sacramento at the California All-State Music Educators Conference from Thursday, Jan. 16 through Sunday, Jan. 19.

“He represented Escalon High School performing in the Golden State Honor Band on French Horn. This is a huge accomplishment,” said Ashley Crow, EHS Director of Instrumental Music. “Drew had to prepare an audition for All-State. Audition material was posted in April and he had to prepare and submit an audio recording by October.”

Once the results were posted and those selected notified, music was sent out to those students to prepare for the All-State Conference.

“Since students that are in the ensemble are from all over the state of California, they weren’t able to practice with each other until the conference,” Crow noted. “Students had three days to meet their guest conductor and rehearse their music to (get it to) performance level.”

After the rehearsal time, the student musicians – including Bellinger – put on the public concert on Jan. 19, open to all at no charge.