Recently at AHS, two talented musicians completed an amazing feat. Senior Niraj Patil and sophomore Hannah Lei successfully made it into the All-State orchestra. The Colt sat down with the finalists to ask them about their experiences.

The Colt: What was the most difficult part of your journey to state?

Niraj Patil: For me, balancing orchestra and my extracurricular activities like tennis proved to be a bit of a problem, but after a while you really learn how to manage your time better.

Hannah Lei: The most difficult part of my journey to state for me was definitely finding time to practice the music, which included listening to recordings and understanding the style and character of the excerpts, and the learning process when I first got the music.

TC: What was your favorite part about going to state?

NP: Just finding out if I made it or not was really fun for me.

HL: My favorite part about going to state was being a part of the many people who were also preparing for the same thing I was and having the reassurance and support from them. Getting together with the other musicians, listening to each other, giving and receiving guidance, It was an experience in itself.

TC: How many hours a week would you say you put into practicing?

NP: Well, I practice about an hour a day, so about 7-8 hours a week.

HL: I try my best to practice everyday, but usually I end up practicing probably 5-6 days out of a week, so about 6-7 hours a week.

TC: Would you say you owe your success more to the orchestra program, or self-preparation?

NP: Definitely self preparation.

HL: Mostly self-preparation, but every year there’s a mock audition held in the orchestra room on the day before the actual recording, which really helped me so I have to thank the orchestra program as well.

TC: Do you take lessons outside of school?

HL: Yes, I study with Joni Baczewski. She is a violist in the Fort Worth Symphony who also taught my brother.

TC: What was your reaction to getting into all-state?

NP: I was obviously ecstatic but mostly proud of myself. I put all of this time into something, and the feeling of it finally paying off is just incomparable.

TC: During your audition, were you more nervous or confident?

HL: I was definitely more nervous because I had never auditioned for state before. There is just so much risk involved. I realized that all my practicing had come down to this 10 minute moment that could go any possible good or bad way. I invested so much time into this music. And it was cold in the room.