GMS instrumental students fare well at ISSMA contest

Greencastle Middle School instrumental students competed in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Solo and Ensemble competition on Saturday, Jan. 27 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 GMS results are as follows:

Group V – Gold Division: Liz Rohder – Clarinet Solo; Noah Barnes – Baritone Solo; Laurel Brown, Evie Green, Addie Fowler and Ali Dobbs – Woodwind Quartet; Zoey Doan, Kaitlin Welker, Emma Callahan and Emma Woodall – Sax Quartet; Emily Gray, Jaydin Voege, Journey Wilson, Taylor Ridgway and Carter Pelfrey – Brass Quintet.

Group IV – Gold Division: Riley Wood – Flute Solo; Eleanor Mackenzie – Oboe Solo; Alyece Green – Clarinet Solo; Elise Lausee – Clarinet Solo; Henry Cox – Trumpet Solo; Hunter Miller – Trumpet Solo; Cam Benedix – Trombone Solo; Charlie Menzel – Mallet Solo; Bella Monnett, Blake Pingleton, and Micah Cantonwine – Clarinet Trio; Sarah Miller, Chloe Gardner and Hadley McCoy – Woodwind Trio; Rebecca Hebb, Mya Weddle and Hannah Seaman – Woodwind Trio; Isaac Hertenstein, Sammie McCoy, Logan Warren, Maddie McCoy and Cam Benedix – Brass Quintet.

Silver Division: Isaac Hertenstein – Trumpet Solo; Isaac Hertenstein, Maddie McCoy and Mason Howard – Brass Trio.

Group III – Gold Division: Collin Short – Alto Sax Solo; Boyd Ensley – Trombone Solo; Hunter Miller, Boyd Ensley, Alice Howard and Ryleigh Tuttle – Brass Quartet.

Silver Division: Alice Howard – French Horn Solo.

The GMS bands are directed by Kathryn Dory.