Students from choir, orchestra and band partook in the Kansas State High School Activities Association Solo and Ensemble Regional Festival last Saturday.

Preparation for the event looked different for each student, with students picking and practicing a few songs.

“I went through some of the songs in the book, and something about [a] song just stuck out to me,” sophomore Elijah Cunningham said. 

Those who received a division one ranking qualified to the State festival.

Sophomore Kathryn Pittman received the one ranking for her Flute solo, Cunningham received the one for his French Horn solo and senior Steph Moots received the one for her French Horn solo.

The Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Quartet and Woodwind Quintet are the band ensembles going to state.

“I was really excited to play in the Brass ensemble. I’ve never gotten to do that at Solo and Ensemble before and it was fun,” Moots said.

Freshman Saba Mirafzal, sophomores Arianna Snell and Jarvin Gomez, and senior John Auckley received a division one ranking for their violin solos.

Freshmen Grace Thompson, Grace Werth and Rebekah Pickering, sophomores Lydia Wyatt and Emily Topham, juniors Oliva Payne and Thomas Loub, and senior Lyda Brox received a division one ranking for their cello solos.

There were also ensemble performances, with the Bellismia Trio including Snell, senior Josh Fan and junior Eli Eickhoff, who received the one ranking and the Stamitz Quartet with freshmen Kylie Kim, Mian Zhao, Rachel Wei and Brox, also receiving the one. Both groups qualified to the State festival.

“Our ensemble was a bit odd, as it was made up of three freshmen and a senior. Typically ensembles contain a more narrow range of ages, but these three freshmen are very talented and it is amazing to work with them,” Brox said.

Choir students had students from Anthony Middle School come in last Friday to listen to Chamber and Pops Choir, with students getting to sing their solos.

“All the people doing solos got to sing in front of them and that’s where I really found my voice and solidified (the pieces) for the students themselves,” junior Parker Freeby said. Freeby performed in the Tenor/Bass solo section, getting a division two ranking.

The students will head to the State Festival, held April 30, at Washburn Rural. Students are preparing for the event, looking forward to the festival.

“The most fun [or relieving] part is at the end of day as they are posting final scores,” Brox said. “Cheering for your peers is one of the best parts of [the festivals] and really builds the community.”