April 18, 2024

Students shine during State Solo and Ensemble contest

OST photo by HILARY FERRAND Pictured are, FRONT ROW (from left to right), Nathan Bair, Samantha Farlow, LeeAnn Helgevold, Reed Morris, Kayci Mongar, MIDDLE ROW (from left to right), Parker Hardy, Brandon Chavez, Kenna DeVore, Sam Belden, Riley Elben, Parker Smith, Ronak Robinson, BACK ROW (from left to right), Erin Gay, Susana Camacho, Jasmine Rebol, Byron Rivera, Reminton Cook, Dana Person, NOT PICTURED, Brittany Beckett.

Members of the Clarke High School Chorus and Band participated in the State Solo and Ensemble Contest at Greene County High School in Jefferson Iowa on Saturday March 25th. The students performed music for a judge who critiqued and rated their performance. Students were judged on the areas of Tone Quality, Intonation, Rhythm, Balance and Blend within the ensemble, Technique including attacks and releases and control of ranges and musical/mechanical skill, Interpretation and Musicianship including style and phrasing of the music, Diction for vocalists and Articulation for wind instruments and other performance factors including choice of literature, appropriate appearance, poise, posture, mannerisms, facial expression and memorization for vocalists.

The band had 26 students participating, receiving 10 Division I Superior ratings, 16 Division II Excellent ratings, and 7 Division III Good ratings.  The band students receiving Division I ratings were: Nathan Bair, Sam Belden, Susana Camacho, Remington Cook, Kenna DeVore, Parker Hardy, Sam Reynoldson, and Byron Rivera. Kayci Mongar received two Division I Superior ratings. Reed Morris and Parker Smith received three Division I Superior ratings.

The choir had 17 participants, receiving 6 Division I Superior ratings, 9 Division II Excellent ratings, 3 Division III Good ratings. The choir students receiving Division I ratings are: Brittany Beckett, Samantha Belden, Izzy Buddenhagen, Erin Gay, Lee Ann Helgevold, Jasmine Rebol, and Ronak Robinson. Dana Pearson, Parker Smith and Brandon Chavez received two Division I Superior ratings. Jesse Corrales received three Division I Superior ratings. Remington Cook received four Division I Superior Ratings.

Other students who also participated in State Solo and Ensemble Contest are: Michael Berryhill, Seth Cisler, Riley Elben, Samantha Farlow, Olivia Franklin, Alexis Grow, George Hicks, Kendra Jensen, Haley Pollard, Hannah Pollard, Sydney Sickels, MacKenzie Slykhuis, Bailey Smith, Zach Smith, and Victoria Swartz.