AHS Musicians Play Solo & Ensemble Festival

Each year, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) presents the District Solo and Ensemble Festival at schools across the state. It's a chance for students to perform on their own or as a duet or small group, playing music that they've selected. Professional music educators serve as judges who rate their performances and often provide feedback. 

The highest possible score of 1 is recognition of a superior performance for the grade level. Students who earn a 1 qualify for the State Solo and Ensemble Festival which will take place Saturday, March 14th in Chelsea.

At the 2020 festival held January 25th at Onsted High School, 16 AHS Band members and 8 Orchestra members qualified for the state competition. 
 
These Orchestra members earned a score of 1:

• Nicky Jacobson - Cello Solo 
• Leif Knox - Bass Solo
• Gabriella Morris - Cello Solo
• Jalen Nieto-Smith - Cello Solo
• Dylan Sharp - Viola Solo
• Alyiah Fife, Jennavieve Russell and Caitlyn Tucker  - 1 Cello and 2 Violin Trio

These Band members earned a score of 1: 

• Leif Eklund - Tuba Solo
• Tyler Hinton - French Horn Solo
• Daisy Leal - Marimba Solo
• Thomas Maddox - Snare Solo
• Ella Slupe - French Horn Solo 
• Victoria Miller and Leah Sage - Flute Duet
• Matthew Antalek, Tyler Hinton and Maxwell Rhames - Trumpet Trio
• Emily Armentrout and Parker Farmer - Marimba Duet
• Rachel Bauer, Taylor Borton, Zach Duvall and Austen Howard - Saxophone Quartet 

"Solo and Ensemble Festival is a great way to work on tuning, listening, and ensemble sound in an intimate setting," said Aaron Mykeloff, Director of AHS Bands.  "It also motivates students to work on their own and become more proficient players."

"It takes a lot of dedication, practice and perseverance to participate in this event," said APS Orchestra Director Lorri Wittenkeller. "The orchestra students worked on their own and with me before and after school to master their music. Little, if any, time was taken during class." 

At the state level the standards are higher. Students must also perform musical proficiency exams, including scales and sight reading. The highest-rated participants are then asked to perform as part of the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band or Orchestra or as soloists or ensembles. 

---