The All-State Jazz Band only accepts 40 musicians from the entire state.

After auditioning for the All-State Jazz Band, junior Lane Pitman ranked eighth at the competition.

Pitman first found out he received this achievement by receiving a text in the middle of Walmart from the competition.

“I was really surprised,” Pitman said. “The first thing I did was tell my mom.”

Lane has been trying to make it into the All-State Jazz Band for two years.

“I learned that it’s not about how long you practice it’s about how you practice,” Pitman said.

Pitman practices the trumpet every day for one to two hours.

Musicians from all around Texas participate in auditioning to make it into the band.

“I was really proud of Lane,” Aaron Daniel associate band director said. “It is one of the hardest achievements to receive.”

Pitman has been playing the trumpet since the sixth grade.

“Of course I love playing the trumpet but I also enjoy playing Pokémon and listening to music,” Pitman said.

Pitman enjoys watching movies with his friends on the weekends.

“My favorite movie has to be either Enders game or Forest Gump,” Pitman said.

He will represent Wylie East at the Texas Music Educators Convention All-State Jazz Band in February.