GMS band students fare well at district solo, ensemble contest

On Saturday, Feb. 8 Greencastle Middle School instrumental students competed in the Indiana State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble competition held 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 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: Anna Wren, Annie Hershberger, Hailey Whitis, and Sarah Heithaus -- Clarinet Quartet; Renee Stimpert, Oliver MacKenzie, and Henry Carter -- Sax Trio; Preston Cook, Ivy Whipple, and Shawn Hanley -- Woodwind Trio; Renee Stimpert -- Alto Sax Solo; Michael Thede -- Baritone Solo; Emma Wilson -- Flute Solo; Addison Hughes, Samantha Spurling, and Samantha Chaney -- Brass Trio; Taven Noll -- Tuba Solo; Ivy Wright -- Flute Solo; Ben Wilkerson, Jack Howard, Taven Noll, Connor Crary, and Michael White -- Brass Quintet.

Silver Division: Michiru Mashimo -- Snare Drum Solo; Brandon Lamb -- Baritone Solo

Group IV -- Gold Division: Donovan Asbell -- Trombone Solo; Gretchen Weliever, Abby Meyer, and Vivian Savage -- Clarinet Trio; Nicole Newgent -- Clarinet Solo; Ben Wilkerson -- Trombone Solo; Mika Mozawa -- Flute Solo; Layna Robinson -- Flute Solo; Emma Wilson, Ivy Wright, and Mika Mozawa -- Flute Trio; Justin Berish -- Alto Sax Solo; Jack Romer -- Tenor Sax Solo.

Silver Division: Addison Hughes -- Trumpet Solo; Daniel Williams, Connor Stimpert, Ben Gellman, and Rose White -- Brass Quartet; Amy Gong, Sierra Mason, Megan Friars, and Corrinne Buchanan -- Woodwind Quartet.

Group III -- Gold Division: Ben Parsons -- A. Sax Solo; Connor Stimpert -- Trumpet Solo; Amy Gong -- Flute Solo; Josh Lamb -- Snare Drum Solo.

Silver Division: Ben Gellman -- Trumpet Solo.

Participation in ISSMA contests helps students understand the value of working toward common goals, striving for excellence as an individual and a team, problem solving, teamwork, and work ethic. Development of these skills leads to success in school and in the workplace.

The GMS bands are directed by Kathryn Dory.