Several Oscoda Middle School Band students traveled to Tawas Area High School on Saturday, April 20 to participate in MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) Solo and Ensemble Festival. Events were adjudicated in the areas of Tone, Intonation, Rhythm, Technique and Interpretation. From these five categories, students can earn a Division I (Superior), Division II (Excellent), Division III (Good), Division IV (Fair) or Division V (Poor) rating. Events earning Division I or II earned a medal. All participants receive verbal and written comments from adjudicators who are experts on their instruments.
Earning Division I (Superio) Ratings:
Harley Hodges (7), flute solo performing “March Majestic” by Douglas Court
Maci McDougall (7), clarinet solo performing “Il Primo Canto” by N. Hovey and B. Leonard
Ava Taylor (8), alto saxophone solo performing “Cavatina” by W.A. Mozart and “Melody” by Albert Biehl
Logan Heiden (8), snare drum solo performing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” arranged by Sandy Feldstein
Mallet Quartet: Logan Heiden (bells), Harley Kenyon (7, xylophone), Isla Merdzinski (8, marimba) and Jack Williams (7, marimba) performing “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by W.A. Mozart and arranged by Karen Lopez
Earning Division II (Excellent) Ratings:
Carly Mongeau (8), clarinet solo performing “Waltz Miniature” by N Hovey and B. Leonard and “Aura Lee” by Poulton
Mixed Trio: Lindy Kenyon (8, clarinet), Ava Taylor (alto saxophone) and Isla Merdzinski (marimba) performing “Song of the Watchman” by Edvard Grieg and “The Three Kings” by Nicolaus and arranged by H. Voxman.
Soloists were accompanied by Karen MacGregor.
Karen R. Lopez, MA of Music Education
Band and Choir Director
Oscoda Area Schools