GMS students earn high marks at solo, ensemble contest

On Saturday, Feb. 3 Greencastle Middle School instrumental students competed in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Solo and Ensemble competition at Terre Haute North High School.

Students spent many hours preparing a solo or ensemble piece and performed before a highly qualified judge.

There are five different groups that a student could enter in from Group V (easier music) to Group I (very difficult). Each solo and ensemble is graded in several different categories including intonation, tone quality, note and rhythm accuracy, interpretation, dynamics, and musicianship. Points are awarded and final ratings given from gold to participation.

The results are as follows:

Group V – Gold Division: Hadley McCoy – Tenor Sax Solo; Charlie Menzel – Snare Drum Solo; Evan Harris – Trumpet Solo; Bella Green – Clarinet Solo; Isaac Hertenstein – Trumpet Solo; Hadley McCoy, Bella Parker, and Cassie Allen – Woodwind Trio; Maddie McCoy, Mason Howard and Isaac Hertenstein – Brass Trio; Grace Clodfelter, Riley Wood and Eleanor Mackenzie – Woodwind Trio; Maddie McCoy, Charlie Menzel and Eleanor Mackenzie – String Trio.

Silver Division: Aleyce Green – Clarinet Solo; Owen Huff, Henry Cox and Evan Lazar – Brass Trio; Micah Cantonwine, Blake Pingleton, Emma Smiley and Jameson Storm – Clarinet Quartet.

Group IV – Gold Division: Alice Howard – French Horn Solo; Bijou Champagne – Trumpet Solo; Collin Short – Trumpet Solo; Harley Whitis – Flute Solo; Boyd Ensley – Trombone Solo; Connor Barcus, Ben Huff, Carter Brown and Vincent Martoglio – Trombone Quartet; Simon Lausee, Carter Brown, Jeremy Robbins and Ben Staggers – Brass Quartet; Maieasha Rashid, Harley Whitis, Juliette Tomamichel, Amanda Cady and Anastasia Lopez – Woodwind Quintet; Rain Minartz, Kadence Shaner and Gabi Merrell – Clarinet Trio; Fiona Good, Audrie Brennan, Iris Mackenzie and Bijou Champagne – Brass Quartet; Boyd Ensley, Alice Howard, Hunter Miller and Ryleigh Tuttle – Brass Quartet.

Group III – Gold Division: Stephen Dombrowski – Alto Sax Solo; Andrew Thede – Clarinet Solo; Ben Huff – Trombone Solo; Iris Mackenzie – Trumpet Solo; Fiona Good – French Horn Solo; Jacob Carter, Casey Crary and Stephen Dombrowski – Alto Sax Trio.

Silver Division: Maieasha Rashid – Flute Solo.

The GMS bands are directed by Kathryn Dory.