Small, large group contest ratings announced

Since 2000, the concert choir students have not received three "1" ratings from the judges at the state large group contest...until this year.

Tonya McGough, vocal teacher, said that the choir students worked so hard in class this semester, and it paid off.

"I am very proud of all 69 of them!" said McGough.

McGough was elated when she saw three "1"s posted.

"I was so excited when I saw our ratings. I wanted to scream, but I didn't, until later," said McGough.

The band also performed at the state large group contest. They played "To Challenge the Skies and Heaven Above," and "Beautiful Savior." The band earned three "3" ratings from the judges.

Rachel McCall, junior concert choir member, was relieved when she heard the ratings they received.

"I was very excited that we got three '1's because we worked hard, and it was very time consuming, but it paid off at the end," said McCall.

On April 2, members of the Silver Lake High School vocal and band programs had to get up early in the morning to travel to Atchison to impress the judges at the regional small group music contest.

The vocal students who received a "1" rating were the men’s ensemble, women’s ensemble, and soloists Josh Ruby, Jayme Lindstrom, Amanda Pfannenstiel, Jessica Norton, and Kate Taylor. The clarinet quartet, which includes Bailey Altman, Rachael Bennett, Jessica Hawkins, and Kaitlin Metzler, also obtained a "1" rating for the band.

The vocal students who received a "2" rating were the select choir, and soloists Nikki Wilkinson, Michelle Taylor, McCall, Scott Girard, Dylan Bahm, and Bailey White. The band’s saxophone ensemble also earned a "2" rating.

McGough said last year the men’s ensemble did not qualify for state.

“I’m really glad that all of them get to go this year,” said McGough.

Alex Oyler, junior men’s ensemble member, was very excited to succeed.

“I felt that it was a great accomplishment for us seeing as women largely dominate the high school vocal scene,” said Oyler.

McGough said that the time slots were different than other years.

“We had a great schedule this year. We were home by two when most years we don’t get home until six or seven,” said McGough.

The vocal and band students who received a "1" rating at regional small group will compete at the State Small Group Music Festival on April 30.

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