Washington High School senior Nick Smith has been selected to the Missouri All-State Band, earning one of the highest honors available to student musicians in the state. Smith was chosen as a euphonium player, representing Washington High School among the elite performers selected statewide.

On December 6, 2025, more than 1,500 of Missouri’s top student musicians gathered at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for a place in the prestigious ensemble. Only 107 students were selected, placing Smith among the most accomplished high school musicians in Missouri.

The Missouri All-State Band will convene, rehearse, and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, scheduled for January 28 through January 31, 2026, at the Margaritaville Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The 2025–2026 Missouri All-State Band will be conducted by Dr. Travis Cross, professor of music and director of bands at the University of California, Los Angeles. At UCLA, Dr. Cross conducts the Wind Ensemble and leads the graduate wind conducting program. He previously served as chair of the music department from 2018 to 2023 and as associate dean for academic mentoring and opportunity during the early years of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Prior to UCLA, he taught at Virginia Tech and at Edina High School in Minnesota. Dr. Cross earned both his Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees in conducting from Northwestern University and his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal and instrumental music education, cum laude, from St. Olaf College.

The All-State Band’s performance program will include Havana Nights: El Fuego de la Noche by Randall Standridge, a commissioned work that will receive its world premiere; Adoration by Florence Price, arranged by Cheldon Williams; Yesterdance by Travis J. Cross; Chester by William Schuman; and Of Our New Day Begun by Omar Thomas.

The Missouri All-State Band’s only public performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. on January 31, 2026, in Paradise A at the Lake of the Ozarks Margaritaville Resort.

Washington High School senior Nick Smith has been selected to the Missouri All-State Band.