Liberty Students To Compete In State Solo & Ensemble

Band and choir students compete in annual competition

Paige Bostic, Reporter

On Saturday, March 5, members of the Liberty choirs and band convened to participate in the district Solo and Ensemble Festival. The event provides an opportunity for musically inclined students to compete for placements and qualifications for the upcoming state Solo and Ensemble Festival this month on April 30. 

The Liberty choirs and band participated in 20 events, eight of which resulted in individual or group advancement to state. State Solo and Ensemble will be held this month, taking place at the University of Missouri in Columbia. 

The band found great success at the competition, accumulating a total of nine high ratings of exemplary and outstanding. 

Exemplary (Advancing to State)

Solo

  • Jaden Zelidon (12)

Ensemble

  • Leilani Green (10), Donald Jurgensmeyer (12), Shane Wolz (11) and Benjamin Young (11)
The saxophone quartet, (left to right) Ben Young (11), Shane Wolz (11), Leilani Green (10), and Donnie J (12), perform at Solo & Ensemble on March 5. (via @wsdlibertyband on Instagram)

Outstanding

Solo

  • Kent Masten (12) – Piano Solo
  • Kyler Stevenson (12) – Trumpet Solo
  • Emma Thomas (11) – Piano Solo
  • Shane Wolz (11) – Tenor Saxophone Solo
  • Ben Young (11) – Alto Saxophone Solo

Ensemble

  • Trumpet Quartet – Liam Ovares (12), Kyler Stevenson (12), Kaitlyn Benesek (11) and Amelia Huebbe (11)

Of the Concert, Treble Select, and Chamber choirs, nine members received medals for their solo performances, and 12 received medals for their ensemble performances. Those who received gold medals will be advancing to state competitions. 

Gold (Advancing to state)

Solo

  • Grace Edney (10)
  • Morgan Feinstein (11)
  • Liam Ovares (12)
  • Cassie Tarrant (12)
  • Anna Wright (11)

Ensemble

  • Treble Ensemble with Bee Boyer (12), Grace Edney (10), Morgan Feinstein (11), Nora Foeller (11), Avery Schlattman (12), Cassie Tarrant (12) and Anna Wright (10)

Silver

via @lhschoirs_wsd on Instagram

Solo

  • Bee Boyer (12)
  • Connor Higlen (10)
  • Kennedy LeMaster (10)

Bronze

Solo

  • Brandt Cleppe (9)

Ensemble

  • Mixed Ensemble with Bee Boyer (12), Brandt Cleppe (9), Morgan Feinstein (11), Liam Ovares (12), and Anthony Rey (10)
  • Mixed Ensemble with Grace Edney (10),  Nora Foeller (11), Connor Higlen (10), Avery Schlattman (12), Cassie Tarrant (12), Anna Wright (11), Shane Wolz (11) and Aidan Yowell (12)

State competitions will be held on April 30 at Mizzou in Columbia.