On Thursday, February 21, 2019, many Clarke Middle School Band Members opted to participate in the Clarke Middle School Solo and Ensemble Festival. These band members rehearsed their musical selections with their band teacher, Christie Stortenbecker, and then performed their pieces for a judge. This year, the judge was Oscar Ortiz, the retired band director from Chariton Middle School. First, he listened to each performance. Immediately afterward, Mr. Ortiz offered positive feedback to each performer, as well as suggestions for improvement. Band members earned a rating based upon their performance. After the festival, each performer also received a written ballot from the judge and an award ribbon.
At the end of the evening, Mr. Ortiz recognized the outstanding performers of the festival. These special awards were given to Gracee Courtney – 8th grade clarinet solo, Brenda Hernandez – 7th grade clarinet solo, Ashlyn Crawford, Ali Henry, and Tory Henry – 7th grade snare drum trio, as well as Veronica Banuelos and Bryce Johnson – 7th grade saxophone duet.
The ratings for all of the participants are included below.
Division I+ Ratings (Highly Superior)
Lily Arnold – Alto Saxophone Solo
Gracee Courtney – Clarinet Solo
Riley Elsbury – Trombone Solo
Ashlin Hardy – Oboe Solo
Ali Henry – Snare Drum Solo
Tory Henry – Snare Drum Solo
Brenda Hernandez – Clarinet Solo
Rili Houge – Clarinet Solo
Calhoun Lundquist – Trombone Solo
Gracee Courtney and Alli Nash – Clarinet Duet
Ashlyn Crawford, Ali Henry, and Tory Henry – Snare Drum Trio
Rili Houge and Calista Warner – Woodwind Duet
Bryce Johnson and Veronica Banuelos – Saxophone Duet
Division I Ratings (Excellent)
Ashlin Hardy, Veronica Banuelos, and Lauren Mumaw – Mixed Trio
Dejah Rowe and Lauren Gray – Flute
Division I- Ratings (Great)
Alicia Glenn – Alto Saxophone Solo
Gracee Courtney, Lauren Gray, and Dejah Rowe – Woodwind Trio
Division II+ Rating (Very Good)
Veronica Banuelos – Clarinet Solo
Division II Ratings (Good)
Lauren Mumaw – Trumpet Solo
Brenda Hernandez and Veronica Banuelos – Clarinet Duet
Division III Rating (Fair)
No Division III Ratings were given by the judge.