Once content behind the scenes, Angel C. found his spotlight the moment he strummed an acoustic guitar.
When the rising senior at Emmet J. Conrad High School picked up the instrument in 2022, his fingers found a connection with the strings as soon as they met. Angel may not have seen it, but the guitar had bigger plans for him.
This seamless relationship was on full display earlier this year when Angel competed in the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
In a competition featuring over 100,000 high school students showcasing their musical talents, Angel and his guitar took home the TSSEC Outstanding Performance award in the Division 1 category, of which only 2-3% of students have accomplished.
Performing to “Prelude to D Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach, Angel was required to have flawless execution and remember the entire piece by heart. Angel did both.
“I didn’t believe I did anything special until my band director told me I was the first guitarist to make it to state and win the outstanding performance award,” Angel said.
His disbelief has to do with him being such a late bloomer as a musician, but when a person’s roots are tilled, soiled, and watered in love, anything is possible.
Angel’s first year with his guitar was spent in frustration. Picking up the instrument and tossing it aside a few minutes later was the normal routine, but with help from his older brother, Angel was able to get over the rough stages at the beginning.
As he prepared to compete in the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest, Angel would speak three profound words to himself: Don’t give up. These are the words his JROTC instructor, Command Sergeant Major Leon Johnson, told him and his peers during an exhausting day of drills, preparing for a competition.
This was not the first motivational message from Johnson, whom Angel views as an exceptional leader. What once started as an elective for Angel, JROTC is now another passion Angel excels at. He will be the third command sergeant major when he returns to the classroom in the fall.
Outside of being a phenomenal musician and JROTC member, Angel is viewed as a model student by his teachers and administration.
“Angel is one of our dynamos. He is an ambassador for the H-TECH program, and he represents Conrad well. He also goes above and beyond for his fellow students,” said Liz Walker, assistant principal.
Angel is already cementing his legacy, both at Conrad and district-wide. Since winning the state competition, ten students reached out to Angel about playing the guitar and joining the band.
His only advice to them is this: Don’t give up.
