"Lauren Landrum, a member of the Hudson High School Band, has been selected as a member of the 2007 Association of Texas Small School Bands All-State Band. More than 9,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in 20 different regions for a place in their respective all-region bands. The top chairs in each region advanced to one of the five area auditions held this past weekend across the state and only 240 of these 1360 students were selected for all-state honors.

     Landrum was chosen for this honor in competitive auditions held this year across the state at region and area levels. Landrum plays the flute at school under the direction of Brad Comeaux, who is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, a 1,000-member group of band directors in class 1A, 2A, 3A, high schools in Texas. This is her first time to perform as a member of the ATSSB All-State Band. Her other interests at school include Color Guard/Winter Guard. She is also active in church activities at Lufkin First Church of the Nazarene and enjoys conducting and performing with the "Hive" Pep Band as well. Lauren is the daughter of David and Jan Landrum of Lufkin.

     The ATSSB All-State Bands will meet in rehearsals Feb. 14-17 at Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Antonio and will present a concert beginning at 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at that site.

     Jeff Hellmer from the University of Texas at Austin will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Jazz Ensemble. Jerry Junkin, also from the University of Texas at Austin, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Symphonic Band. Bill Brent fron Northewstern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, will be the clinician-conductor of the All-State Concert Band." - Quoted from the Lufkin Daily News article on Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

We have all known Lauren to be an outstanding person, as well as a musician. She is always on our backs about not practicing, not pulling our weight, and not doing our best. Accepting underneath what our personal best is is not an option for Lauren. This is what makes her such an excellent leader - our drum major - and an amazing band member. We are honored to have her in our band program, representing Hudson with all of her talent and joy. No one deserves this honor more than she does. We love you, Lauren.

-Shannyn Withrow