Nine Wayland Union Hi
gh School band and orchestra students have advance to the MSBOA State Solo & Ensemble Festival in March.
Band and orchestra students performed at the Michigan School Band and Ochestra District 10 Solo & Ensemble Festival at East Kentwood High School o Saturday, Jan. 31. Nine of them scored a rating of 1 (Superior) to qualify for the state festival March 21 at Grandville High School.
Band students, directed by Kelli Smith, include Kayl Black, Brody Black and Jackie Bahena. Orchestra students, directed by Karen Nofsinger, are Gabe Shafer, Cameron Steenhoek, Samuel Rose, Madissen Vacha, Alexia Lukaart and Jori Steenhoek.
The solo and ensemble festival is an opportunity for individual students from member schools to perform a selection of their choice for adjudication. District-level festivals are held in late January through mid-February.
Each student or group of students is evaluated by one judge and rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest rating possible. Students or groups that earn a rating of 1 (or “Superior”) qualify for the state festival. The basic structure of state solo and ensemble festival is the same as district, but students are held to a higher standard. Soloists in grades 10 through 12 must perform proficiency exams, which include scales and sight reading.
Individual students and ensembles chosen for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band, Orchestra, Soloists and Ensembles come from the highest rated events at the state festival. Participating students who earn a rating of 1 or 2 at district or state festivals are eligible to purchase medals.
PHOTO: The nine students who earned the right to take part in the MSBOA state festival are (from left) Gabe Shafer, Cameron Steenhoek, Madissen Vacha, Alexia Lukaart, Samuel Rose, Jori Steenhoek, Kayl Black, Jackie Bahena, and Brody Black. (Photo courtesy Laurie Zywiczynski)