14 Islanders Named All-State Musicians
GRAND ISLAND (Neb.) — Fourteen Islanders will be representing Grand Island Senior High at the 2026 All-State Music Ensembles at the Lied Center on November 18-20 in Lincoln.
The Islanders (listed below) were selected by the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) and are among the best high school musicians in the state to participate in All-State, which is one of the highest musical honors in Nebraska. Students were chosen by their high school directors to audition and compete against other top students for a spot in the state honor ensembles.
All-State participants rehearse with nationally recognized conductors and perform in concerts at the Lied Performing Arts Center. Ensembles include: concert band, mixed chorus, jazz band, and orchestra.
Abbie Bloom, assistant vocal music teacher, said Grand Island Senior High has many talented students who are dedicated to the arts.
“We have so many talented kids, so it's great that they can be recognized for their hard work and talent by being accepted into such a prestigious honor choir,” Bloom said. “My students' passion and drive to do well in what they love is why I love teaching music here at Grand Island Senior High.”
Jesse Gilmore, a sophomore, was chosen for All-State for the first time this year. The soprano 1 vocalist was so excited upon learning the news, that she audibly screamed. Gilmore was in the top two soprano 1's in the region, which means she qualified to audition for one of the solos at All-State.
Gilmore put in a lot of extra hours working on pieces for All-State, but she enjoyed every bit of it. Music, she said, is really special and personal to her.
“I love the feeling it brings to me,” Gilmore said about music. “It’s a connection I created with my dad, and he brought out the best performing side of me that I had ever experienced,” she said.
Gilmore said her dad encouraged her to pursue music because she had something big to share with the world.
“Music has just been a big part of who I am, and it's brought me to so many opportunities that I'm so grateful for,” Gilmore stated.
Those opportunities include meeting all of her friends in choir, and having the chance to do All-State music, which she said she is very excited about.
Bloom said the students have been working hard preparing for All-State.
“The All-State music is some of the hardest music they will sing in their high school career, which requires months of group rehearsals and individual practice,” Bloom continued. “These kids have worked so hard for this, and I am so very proud of them,” she said.
Congratulations to our talented Islanders!
All-State 2026
Choir:
Natalie Flores
Jesse Gilmore
Cadence Gidcumb
Malia McNeal
Miley Edwards
Madison Wieczorek
Ulises Acosta
Rubi Aguilar
Ablam Zotoglo
Kainen Mora
Deacon McPherson
William Woods
Band:
Jack Parker - Trombone
Alexis Flores - Jazz drum set alternate