Two San Angelo ISD Students Earn Prestigious All-State Music Honors

San Angelo ISD proudly celebrates two students from Central High School who reached the highest level a high school musician can achieve through the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) by earning the distinguished honor of TMEA All-State in band and choir. 

Congratulations to: 

• Ian Caraballo-Pagan – CHS junior, TMEA 6A All-State Symphonic Band, clarinet (2nd time)
• Dylan Ochoa – CHS freshman, TMEA All-State Large School State Mixed Choir, tenor

"We are incredibly proud of Dylan’s accomplishment of making first chair and placing into the TMEA All-State Large School Mixed Choir his freshman year,” said Landon Gilmore, Central High School Director of Choirs. “This the most prestigious of the all-state choirs with only two students in each voice part being taken from Area A to this ensemble. For contest, Area A … is a huge area, geographically. To be number one for that entire part of the state, and as a freshman, is really quite incredible and a testament to Dylan’s talent and hard work. In addition to being a leader in the CHS Choir, Dylan is also a member of the CHS Mighty Bobcat Band. I love that Dylan is able to participate in band and choir while maintaining strong academics."

To be selected for the All-State honor, our students joined over 70,000 high school musicians from across the state to audition before a panel of judges in 33 TMEA Regions. Students who ranked the highest then advanced to compete against student musicians from other TMEA Regions at the TMEA Area level, with the highest-ranking then qualifying for All-State status.

“Ian is a junior clarinetist and drum major for the Central High School Bobcat Band, and has impressively achieved back-to-back TMEA All State recognitions, putting him in an elite class of musicians in the state of Texas,” said Daniel Villanueva, Central High School Director of Bands. “Each year nearly 70,000 students audition for TMEA All State, and only 3% advance through all rounds of auditions to claim the title of ‘Texas All-Stater.’ Ian leads by example and helps to raise up his peers with his tenacious and diligent clarinet playing, and also creates a positive learning environment with his electric personality. We are incredibly proud of Ian's achievements and representation of the Central Bobcat Band at the state level.” 

The All-State student musicians will perform with their respective All-State ensembles on February 14, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Nationally recognized conductors will direct the ensembles who rehearse for three days and conclude with the concert performances.

San Angelo ISD extends proud congratulations to these talented students, and commends their dedication to creating beautiful music while exemplifying the attributes of the SAISD Learner Profile. We sincerely thank our committed SAISD educators who help to develop and cultivate the talents of our students in celebration of all the ways students are smart.

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