The Walton County School District is committed to preparing the whole child. On Thursday, December 1st, 2022 Samantha Lee, a senior at Paxton School, traveled to Tallahassee to audition and participate in the 41st annual Tri-State Band Festival hosted by Florida State University. More than 200 of the finest musicians from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama were in attendance. Students are first nominated by their band director for outstanding musicianship and professionalism. Upon arrival, they audition to find their placement among the three concert bands, which are led by some of the most prestigious conductors of our time. Participants put in over 18 hours of ensemble rehearsal over the four day event and spend their evening attending concerts and masterclasses presented by select FSU ensembles and faculty members.

Paxton School’s very own Samantha Lee was the only student in the district to advance past the initial round of screening. She placed 5th chair clarinet besting dozens of other clarinetists from across the southeast. Samantha is developing quite the portfolio of success as she has also been accepted into the All-State Honor Band, University of Miami’s Frost Honor Band, and Troy University’s SUES Honor Band. Congratulations Samantha Lee on your award-worthy achievement!