Several band students competed for and earned All-District Honors Jan. 5 at McLean High School.

Sophomore Alex Arshadi earned All-District Honors at the event, a congregation of Fairfax County high schools, for 1st percussion.

“District band is basically when all of the different schools in a certain district have kids go to audition and the kids who do the best are placed in an ensemble,” Arshadi said. “So the ensemble is just comprised of the best players in the district.”

Junior Anna Gosling, 5th Baritone, was happy to earn the title.

“I was really happy about it,” Gosling said. “I was first alternate last year, and I’ve been really hoping to get in this year. It was a really great experience.”

Senior Ben Becks, awarded recognition for 5th tuba, agreed.

“I’ve always done music, all my life, and it was great knowing that I was in all districts,” Becks said. “Being a part of everybody in District 12, all the students, the best of the best, being together playing music, that’s the best experience.”

Arshadi, who had earned the title previously, was not as thrilled.

“I’m kind of neutral about it,” Arshadi said. “I did the same thing last year.”

Seniors Maya Loehr 1st Oboe, Julia Morris 1st Flute, Scott Reid 1st French Horn, Claire Swinko 5th flute, and Sydney Seed 2nd

Bassoon, juniors Joel Ladwig 2nd Contra-Bass, Ellen Lee 1st Clarinet, and Dylan Reiser 7th Flute also earned All-District Honors.

Becks, Loehr, Morris, Reid, Swinko, Lee, and Arshadi all previously earned the title.

Freshman Kat Edmiston and junior Ben Kim earned alternate positions. Arshadi, Lee, Morris, Loehr, Reid, Reiser, Swinko and Seed all qualified to take the All-State audition and will represent South Lakes at James Madison University at this event in February.