GMS vocal, piano students fare well at district contest

On Saturday, Feb. 1 Greencastle Middle School vocal and piano students competed in the Indiana State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble competition at Terre Haute North High School.

The 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: Connor Crary, piano solo. Dillon Sutherlin, Aiden O'Brien, Ephraim Hale, LaKaelyn Hagan, and Rebecca Tate -- Vocal Ensemble.

Silver Division: Molly Eising, Sarah Clark, and Kelci Slack -- Vocal Trio; Zoe Wilson, Mariah Monett, Abby McGuire, Skyla Hart, Allyssa Sharpee and Sarah Walker -- Vocal Ensemble

Group IV -- Gold Division: Zoe Wilson, vocal solo; Mandy Zheng, Jada Amis, and Kensie Bumgardner -- Vocal Trio.

Silver Division: Marideth Boswell, Ashlee Byrer, and Faith Anderson -- Vocal Trio; Shelby Paxton, Ariana Pershing, Bethany Chaney, and Marley Bright -- Vocal Quartet.

Group III -- Silver Division: Shelby Paxton, vocal solo.

Group I -- Gold Division: Amy Gong, piano solo.

Amy Gong will be going to state contest Feb. 22 at Pike High School in Indianapolis. She and Connor Crary are students of Maureen Carkeek.

The GMS choirs are directed by Kathryn Dory.