Long known for producing top-rate musicians, the Montezuma-Cortez High School Band Program has qualified another musician for the Colorado All-state Band.

That musician is sophomore Skylar Smith, who plays trumpet in the marching band, concert band and jazz band.

Chosen after sending an audition tape to a panel of judges at the University of Northern Colorado, Smith is excited to play alongside Colorado’s finest high school musicians.

“(Smith) is one of the only sophomores I’ve ever had made all-state band,” said M-CHS band director Rodney Rithaller.

As a member of the band, Smith will spend spring break practicing at the University of Northern Colorado.

“I didn’t think that I would get in, but I figured that I might as well try,” said Smith. “I was excited to be selected.”

Local music fans interested in seeing Smith and the rest of his bandmates in are encouraged to attend the M-CHS Spring Concert.

The concert will take place in the high school auditorium on March 11 at 6 p.m.

Both the M-CHS concert band and the M-CHS jazz band will perform.

Admission to the concert is free.