ISSMA Solo and Ensemble results

Joan Lee, Staff Writer

Choir and band students began practicing for the annual ISSMA Solo and Ensemble district contest since November. All participating students performed their pieces before judges and received a gold, silver, bronze, or participation rating. Students were qualified for state finals if they got gold for their Group I solo or ensemble. The students listed are the participants advancing to the state competition.

The vocal/piano district contest was at Doe Creek Middle School on January 27, and twenty choir students and one student pianist performed at this district contest. Sixteen students moved on to the state competition, which was on February 18 at Perry Meridian High School and Perry Meridian Middle School, respectively.

  • Freshmen soloists: Mallory McKeeman and Grace Yantes
  • Sophomore soloists: Joan Lee and Ethan Lewis
  • Junior soloists: Leah Peters, Lauren Pilkington, Nicole Ratts, Cody Smitley, Shana Stutz, and Mary Claire Timberlake
  • Senior soloists: Tatum Barton, Felicity Kratky, and Austin Jones.
  • Piano soloist: senior Gavin Stamper, who also accompanied five soloists with piano
  • A cappella treble barbershop quartet: Amelia Alexander, 12, and Lauren Pilkington,11, Nicole Ratts, 11, and Chelsea Roundtree, 11.

“This was my first time accompanying choir students,” said Gavin Stamper. “I love it because I get to work on my skills alongside the choir kids. I am so excited about my three golds and being able to go to state my senior year. It’s a great way to finish my concert band career.”

The wind/percussion/strings district contest was at Doe Creek Middle School on February 4, and 93 band students performed at the district contest. Sixteen soloists and five ensembles moved on to the state competition which was on February 25 at North Central High School.

  • Freshmen soloists: Drake Gerig, marimba; Carlie Sanders, trumpet; Deacon Stiff, marimba; and Hailey Watson, marimba
  • Sophomore soloists: Brendan Mitchell, marimba
  • Junior soloists: Emma Flick, oboe; Victoria Miller, marimba; Tara Paarlberg, clarinet; Michael Pellom, marimba; Andrew Roembke, trumpet; Nikki Schreiner, flute; Patrick Watson, snare drum and marimba; and Nathan Williams, snare drum
  • Senior soloists: Leah Klinestiver, flute; Katie Smith, trumpet; and Gavin Stamper, French horn
  • Brass quintet: Badri Alvandhar, 12, trumpet; Logan Moore, 10, tuba; Andrew Roembke, 11, trumpet; Gavin Stamper, 12, French horn; and Collin Walsh, 12, trombone
  • Clarinet quintet: Hayden Bailey, 10, Madeline Bovard, 12, Holly Haney, 11, Dayton Jennings, 10, and Betsy McCleery, 11
  • Saxophone ensemble: T.J. Bass, 10, Mary Barnett, 11, Jacob Beck, 10, Lindsey Bonfiglio, 11, Emily Bostrom, 11, Nate Davis, 10, Matthew Rollo, 11, and Sabrina Zeis, 10
  • Trumpet trio: Badri Alvandhar, 12, Coleman Anderson, 12, and Andrew Roembke, 11
  • Woodwind trio: Jennifer McGowen, 11, flute; Tara Paarlberg, 11, clarinet; and Nicole Siefker, 12, flute