Choir members also competed Monday, April 10 at the solo and ensemble contest held in Paynesville. The pops choir, pictured,received a state superior and Best of Site rating for their performance. The senior and junior bands and the mixed and treble choirs all performed at the large group contest on Thursday, April 6 in New London.
For their performance of "Cajun Folk Songs" the junior band earned two section excellent rankings and one subsection superior. One of the three judges commented, "You have a great thing going with the Paynesville band program!"
The senior band earned the highest ranking, a section superior, from each of the three judges. They played two tunes, "On a Southern Hymnsong," and "Ireland: of Legend and Lore." A judge described the performance as, "a full, sonorous sound and blend."
The treble choir performed three pieces, "But Ere We This Perform," "Miserere Mei," and "Psalm 100." They received two section excellent rankings, and one section superior for what a judge described as "beautiful, quality young sound."
The mixed choir, like the senior band, earned the highest distinction with three section superior rankings. "I really loved the gentleness and humility of your performance," one judge wrote on her comment sheet. "The blend and balance here was just so exciting, so very well done!" They sang three songs, "All That Hath Life and Breath," "Amarilli," and "Lord, Listen to Your Children."
The jazz band performed at the Morris Jazz Festival on Friday, April 7. They spent the day at the festival. First, they performed and were critiqued on the three songs they played. These were "You're the Boss," "Jump, Jive, and Wail," and "Since I Don't Have You." They went on to watch other high school groups perform and participate in a clinic with a professional who played their instrument. Finally, they attended a concert which featured the Morris Jazz Band and the professional musicians.
Choir members also competed Monday, April 10 at the solo and ensemble contest held in Paynesville. The pops choir, pictured,received a state superior and Best of Site rating for their performance.
Other schools competing were Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, New-London-Spicer, and Eden Valley-Watkins.
Students involved who received the highest possible ranking, a state superior, in either a solo or an ensemble were: Hannah Philabaum, Casey Kavanagh, Adam Leyendecker, Laura Stoneburner, Lori Hanson, Nathan Brown, Heather Roos, Scott Ingalsbe, Trista Dukowitz, Andrew Jones, Ryan Lang, Nathan Martinson, Allison Thompson, Becca Gardner, and men's ensemble from the mixed choir.