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Midway High School junior Hannah Burnett picks up her viola for comfort at the end of a hard day.

“It’s really fulfilling. I look at playing almost like a reward,” she said.

Her dedication to the instrument is earning her statewide recognition through the Texas Music Educators Association’s All-State Orchestra competition, where she was named “Best in State” on the viola for 2014.

Nearly 1,000 high school viola players signed up to audition for the 42 spots allocated to the symphonic, philharmonic and string orchestras that will perform in San Antonio in February. Competitors play in front of a panel of judges in the first round, then perform again to be ranked in the second round.

Burnett will defend her title in February at another live audition to keep her top seat in the symphonic orchestra.

But performing isn’t a problem for Burnett, who said she doesn’t get stage fright and uses recordings of herself to improve.

“Most people don’t like listening to recordings of themselves playing,” she said. “I like to watch my performances. If I listen to an old recording, I can say ‘Oh, I can do this better this time — whenever I perform it next.’ It’s really nice to be able to critique yourself.”