At South High, two students achieved one of the most honorable awards a person can receive in orchestra and band: All-State.

Junior Cheng Peng earned All-State honors in orchestra for viola, and senior Cain Avellone was first chair trumpet in the Missouri All-State Band. Their achievements aren’t just personal wins; they’re moments of pride for the whole Parkway South community.

For Peng, making the All-State Orchestra was a moment of accomplishment after months of preparation.

“It feels really good because I worked really hard to get there,” Peng said.

Peng’s orchestra journey started very early in his life.

“I played piano ever since I was 6,” he said. “Probably my brother encouraged me, and naturally, in 4th grade, when we chose our instruments, I also took on another instrument, viola.”

Although he’s played viola for years, Peng shared that it was since the start of 2025 that he believed he had the talent and determination to reach a higher level.

“It didn’t really become that important to me till about the beginning of 2025. That’s when I started to take it really seriously,” he said. 

When All-State results were released, Peng was spamming the refresh till he saw what many people can’t say they have.

“I was in my bedroom, and I kept spamming refresh on the page,” he said. “The page eventually refreshed, and I saw my name.”

Cheng does not have a teacher for viola; most of what he knows is self-taught talent. Time management was one of his biggest problems playing the viola.

“I also don’t have a teacher for viola,” he said. “I’m kind of self-taught for most things. Overall, basically time management.”

His orchestra director, Lucy Arbini, praised his work ethic and determination.

“Every other student who made the All-State Orchestra takes private lessons,” Arbini said. “The fact that Cheng made the group without having extra instruction is almost unheard of. It’s not just his skill, it’s his focus, determination, and devotion to practising over a long period of time.”

Peng said that being prepared really helped him stay calm during auditions.

“I started to look at the audition material very early,” he said. “When I was in that room, I wasn’t that nervous because I played it for so long. It’s just muscle memory and everything I developed till then.”

Peng also credited his classmates for the success he has reached.

“They play a pretty big role. They encourage me a lot, and they’re always there. We’re always a big team because we are a giant orchestra,” Peng said. “Orchestra is one of my favorite classes because it’s always there, we rehearse every day, and it’s fun.”

Even with the success Peng has reached, he’s not completely satisfied, as he has other plans to continue his journey in orchestra. 

“I hope to make a youth orchestra or an outside ensemble, and then hopefully All-State again next year,” he said. 

Peng lastly has a message regarding people who want to follow the same goals for All-State.

“Look at the material early,” Peng said. “Anyone can get it as long as you practice. The biggest issue is that most auditions, you kind of cram it at the end. But if you start slowly and gradually learn it, you’ll do well.”

On the band side, Avellone hit a big milestone by landing first chair trumpet in the Missouri All-State Band.

“It was a huge surprise since I hadn’t made it any other year,” Avellone said. “And when I got the first chair, it was a very triumphant feeling.”

He found out at home when a friend messaged him the big news.

“I had just gotten home, and my friend messaged me that I had made first chair,” he said. “I thought he was joking at first, but I checked as soon as I could, and that’s when I found out.”

Avellone started playing the trumpet in sixth grade, and music took on a new meaning for him as he began to think about what he enjoyed about it.

“I realized that music was important to me when I started to actually notice what exactly I liked about some songs I listened to, and what made music feel alive to me,” he said.

His middle school band director at Southwest Middle, Mr. Davis, played a key role in encouraging him.

“He also played trumpet, and he’s been giving me private lessons since about halfway through freshman year,” Avellone said. “It’s been a big encouragement for me.”

South band director Eric Menderski described All-State as the highest recognition a Missouri high school musician can earn.

“It is the greatest reward not only for their talent, but for the discipline they displayed to learn the audition music,” Menderski said.

He praised Avellone’s analytical mindset and leadership.

“From the way he plays music to the way he talks to the way he leads, Cain is very calculated,” Menderski said. “He sets goals and creates a realistic and achievable path to reach them.”

Avellone said that staying motivated and committed was a big challenge.

“The biggest difficulty was probably motivation,” he said. “Keeping consistent and just doing work every day is just the name of the game. That’s all you can do.”

Avellone tries to stay relaxed and focus to manage nerves and anxiety.

“The best thing I’ve found is talking to the other auditionees or people around you,” he said. “Just not thinking about the pressure, it’s the best way to get the nerves down.”

Being part of the band has shaped his experience at Parkway South.

“It’s given me something to work for and be proud of since I’ve actually been a leader in my section or in the band,” he said.

Looking ahead, Avellone hopes to earn a gold medal in the Solo and Ensemble Festival and continue music in college by playing piano.

Finally, Avellone has some good advice for people who want to chase his dreams.

“Find a good teacher, and just do what they say,” he said. “Practice every day as much as you can.”

Both directors emphasised that Cheng and Cain’s accomplishments show more than the recognition they received; they represent Parkway South as a whole.

“Our All-State students set an example for what each student in our programs could do,” Menderski said. “Their success should inspire the rest of our music students to work hard and get better at their craft.”