On Jan. 21, Cloverleaf High School music students participated in the Ohio Music Education Association’s Solo and Ensemble Contest. At this event, hundreds of musicians from area schools perform as soloists or in small ensembles for judges who rate their performances on a scale from 1 to 5.
Cloverleaf students had much to say about the event.
Senior Liz Kiefer said her favorite part of Solo and Ensemble “is being able to listen to other musicians my age and see how much we all have grown as a whole.”
“At first the song is difficult, but slowly you get more comfortable with your music until it’s time for the performance,” said senior Jacob Icardi. “You can experience some nervousness as you wait for your score, but after it’s posted (especially if it’s good) there’s a real sense of accomplishment and relief. It’s a happy feeling!”
Band Director Andrew Winter and Vocal Music Director Lawrence Timm have made it a point to include soloists and small groups as part of their “big picture” in music education.
“I teach my students to love what they do and share it with others,” Winter said. “Solo and Ensemble is practically tailor-made for that philosophy. Loving what you do sounds blissful, but I believe education and love require many of the same things including courage, commitment, honesty and encouragement. If students are successful in those skills then it can stimulate the many emotional and intangible benefits of music (and love) as well!”
Timm noted: “All the students worked hard to perform at their best. We are very proud of all of them.”
Congratulations to these students on their performances. They continue to represent Cloverleaf with pride! The results of this year’s contest are below:
Musicians receiving a rating of 1, denoting a superior performance were:
Cloverleaf Swing Choir -- Jacob Berchtold, Sam Brandt, Reilly Cipullo, Kyle Kowalski, Skyelar Mantz, Alayna Richmond, Corina Rivera, Delaney Sheldon, Danielle Taylor, Sophia Reed, Tristan Vaughn, Emma Whitney, Grace Winrod, Anna West
Alayna Richmond – Vocal Solo
Julian Everstijn – Bass Clarinet Solo
Kendra Gingrich – Flute Solo
Benjamin Nagy – Clarinet Solo
Madeline Marshall – Tuba Solo
Emily Gladden – Clarinet Solo
Liz Kiefer, Grace Schmitt, Julie Wetzel, Grace Winrod – Saxophone Quartet
Jacob Icardi, Owen Nagy David Ross – Trumpet Trio
Musicians receiving a rating of 2, denoting an excellent performance were:
Jacob Berchtold – Vocal Solo
Emma Whitney – Vocal Solo
Nick Beiser – Vocal Solo
Grace Winrod – Vocal Solo
Harmony Holderman, Maddie Perry Abby Tarleton - Clarinet Trio
Julian Everstijn, Reilly Gold, Mylah Morris – Woodwind Trio
Betty Jenkins, Melanie Witmer, Joey Yusko – Trombone Trio
Musicians receiving a rating of 3, denoting a good performance were:
Reilly Cipullo – Vocal Solo