On Saturday, February 7, several Oscoda Middle School and High School band members traveled to Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch to participate in MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) District 9 Solo and Ensemble Festival. Each of Oscoda’s 23 student events were evaluated in the areas of Tone, Intonation, Rhythm, Technique and Interpretation by professional, instrumental adjudicators. Each event earned a rating in one of the following categories: Division I (Superior), Division II (Excellent), Division III (Good), Division IV (Fair) and Division V (Poor). Events earning a Division II (Excellent) rating earn a medal with a red ribbon. Events earning a Division I (Superior) rating earn a medal with a blue ribbon. Additionally, High School events that earn a Division I rating are qualified to participate in MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble which will take place on March 21, 2026.
18 of Oscoda’s events earned Division I (Superior) Ratings, and 5 of Oscoda’s events earned Division II (Excellent) Ratings.
Oscoda Events:
Earning a Division I (Superior) rating:
Emma Clarke (7), flute solo performing “Spanish Folk Song” by Ralph R. Guenther.
Harley Hodges (9), flute solo performing “Minuet” by Johann Sebastian Bach and “Ballet of the Shepherds” from the Opera “Armide” by Christoph Gluck.
Maya Lopez (12), flute solo performing “Minuet” from “L’Arésienne Suite No. 2” by Georges Bizet.
Alexander Burns (11), alto saxophone solo performing “Mélodie” by Simon Poulain.
Everett Niskala (7), alto saxophone solo performing “Winter Rhapsody” by Robert E. Foster.
Chase Morejon (11), baritone saxophone solo performing “Bourrée” by George Frideric Handel and “Spring” by Edvard Grieg.
Sawyer Kirby (11), trumpet solo performing “El Torero” by Stanley F. Thomas.
Liam Tait (8 ), trombone solo performing “Ancient Ayre” by John Barrett.
Emma Clarke and Cara Merillat (8 ): flute and clarinet duet performing “Musette” by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Maya Lopez and Alexander Burns: flute and clarinet duet performing Sonata No. 6, Op. 8 “The Italian” by Nicolas Chédeville.
Alexander Burns and Chase Morejon: saxophone duet performing “Can-Can” from “Orpheus in the Underworld” by Jacques Offenbach and “Simple Gifts” by Joseph Brackett.
Evelyn Baldwin (7) and Naomi Olson (7): alto saxophone duet performing “Calypso Morning” by Bruce Pearson and “March from Peasant Cantata” by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Olivia Hutchison (7) and Olivia Rowden (7): trumpet duet performing “Calypso Morning” by Bruce Pearson and “Jamaican Holiday” by Irving Burgie.
Alexander Clarke and Sawyer Kirby: trumpet duet performing “Hunting Scene” and “Polanaise” by Viktor Korda.
Amelia Miszak (8 ), flute, Evelyn Baldwin, alto saxophone and Naomi Olson, alto saxophone: woodwind trio performing “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Delilah Harms (7) trumpet and Emma Harrison (7) euphonium: brass duet performing “Courtly Dance” by Giovanni Gastoldi.
Emma Clarke, flute, Claire Luttrell (7), clarinet, Cara Merillat, clarinet, Autumn Wills (8 ) clarinet: woodwind quartet performing “Caprice” from “Andante and Caprice” by Christoph Gluck.
Evan Agtergael (8 ) flute, Gavin Condo (7) alto saxophone, Everett Niskala, alto saxophone and Liam Tait, trombone: mixed quartet performing “Pilgrim Ode” by Clair W. Johnson.
Earning a Division II (Excellent) rating:
Riley Deller (9), clarinet solo performing “The Sioux Song and Dance” by Robert Lowry.
Claire Luttrell, clarinet solo performing “Il Primo Canto” by Nilo W. Hovey and Beldon Leonard.
Kyrian Skandarsky (9), contralto clarinet solo performing “See the Conquering Hero Comes” from “Judas Maccabaeus” by George Frideric Handel and arranged by Aruthur Franckenpohl.
Alexander Clarke (11), trumpet solo performing “Air Gai” by Gabriel Pierre Berlioz.
Chase Morejon and Alexander Clarke, saxophone and trumpet duet performing “Marche Militaire” by Franz Schubert.
All Oscoda soloists were accompanied by Karen MacGregor on the piano.
Photo:
Standing left to right: Kyrian Skandarsky, Everett Niskala, Evan Agtergael, Gavin Condo, Harley Hodges, Maya Lopez, Alex Burns, Chase Morejon, Sawyer Kirby, Alex Clarke.
Middle Row left to right: Emma Clarke, Autumn Wills, Naomi Olson, Evy Baldwin, Olivia Hutchison, Olivia Rowden, Emma Harrison, Delilah Harms.
Front Row left to right: Cara Merillat, Claire Luttrell, Riley Deller, Liam Tait
Not pictured: Amelia Miszak