CHS SENDS 3 TO ALL-STATE CONCERT

Cape Girardeau Central High School band director Ron Nall will take three of Missouri's finest musicians and vocalists to the Missouri Music Educators All-State Concert this week.

The event will take place at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Lake of the Ozarks Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

This is the first time Nall has taken three Central music students to the prestigious event.

"We've always had at least one, but I can't remember ever having someone representing all three categories," Nall said.

George Aplin will participate in the all-state choir, John Hearnes in the band and Shane Keefe in the orchestra.

"I remember when my son was in this over 10 years ago," Nall said. "He told me if he never even got to play a note, it still would have been a tremendous experience."

More than 800 students auditioned, and from them 105 were accepted in the band. Nall said Hearnes is one of six drummers to qualify for the all-state concert. Aplin will sing tenor and Keefe will play string bass.

"The conductor for the all-state band is a nationally known figure," Nall said. "The same is true for the orchestra and choir. It's quite an honor to be part of something like this."

Dr. Francis McBeth, who will conduct the band, is an internationally known clinician, conductor and band composer.