Gulf Coast Youth Jazz Ensemble celebrates All-State milestone

In the Gulf Coast Youth Jazz Ensemble, kids of different ages, from different backgrounds, are brought together by the one thing they do have in common — their love of music.

These kids aren't just practicing for performances, they're competing to make the cut for the one performance that's bigger than the rest: All-State.

"They work throughout the whole year, some of them, it's they'll audition 7th grade, and 8th grade, and 9th grade, and maybe they might make it their 10th or 11th grade year," said Kevin Devitt, director of the ensemble.

Most years, just one member of the ensemble earns a spot.

This year, for the first time, not only was one member chosen to go, but five members are going together.

"It's exciting," said Liam Tanner. "It's a bunch of people that I know personally, and I get to play with them."

Liam Tanner, Emily Skocik, Phillip Munoz, Brandon Sareh, and Isaiah Pasternack started side by side.

They are now taking the music that brought them together to one of the biggest stages of their careers. These students aren't just learning notes. They're learning that music has the power to unite us.

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