IA West Concert Band, LHS Symphonic, MHS Symphonic, LHS Wind Ensemble and MHS Wind Ensemble:
The concert bands all participated in our annual March Madness concert held at Milford High School on March 6. The bands spent the afternoon working with our guest clinician, Mr. David Armbruster (LHS Alumni), and performed together in a combined concert that evening. We also had our special guests, Durand High School, in performance with us. Their program is under the direction of Mr. Ryan Ansorge (LHS Alumni) who has been on staff with our marching band program for many years as well. The event was a great way for all 3 programs to come together for a fantastic night of music.
LHS Wind Ensemble:
The Lakeland Wind Ensemble has been busy preparing for their performance this past Friday at the Great Lakes Concert Band Festival held at EMU. The band did a tremendous job and performed in concert and participated in a clinic with one of the adjudicators after their performance. In addition, one of the pieces we performed was written by composer Daniel Biedenbender, who lives in Michigan. We were fortunate enough to have a workshop with the composer on Wednesday, March 8, with Mr. Biedenbender and it was a truly wonderful experience for the band. It is very rare to get to spend a day with the actual composer of the music you perform.
Huron Valley Percussion:
The Huron Valley Percussion Winter Drum Line is hard at work and competed at the Gibraltar Carlson Show on Saturday, March 11, finishing 2nd in their class. They are hosting the Winter Guard International Regionals this weekend at Lakeland HS. This is a huge honor and the event will be all day at Lakeland this Saturday, March 25th. HVP will perform at 1:55 pm this weekend and again in finals (time tba).
HVP will also be the sponsoring workforce for the Michigan Championships on Sunday, April 2nd at Eastern Michigan University. We are honored to be the hosts for this event as well!
Huron Valley Winter Guards:
Both our guards have been hard at work as well, competing at several events this last month.
On Saturday, March 4th, our Varsity guard competed at the WGI Flint Regional, finishing in 5th place in finals again! This was a fantastic showing by the group! Both Varsity and JV competed at the Stoney Creek Show on Saturday, March 11. The JV guard finished 3rd in their class, and the Varsity guard finished in 1st place! Both groups were out again, yesterday, March 19, at the Troy Athens show. JV finished 4th and Varsity finished in 3rd place. Both guards will compete at the Michigan Championships at Saginaw Valley University on Saturday, April 1st.
MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble Festival:
This past Saturday, March 18, was the State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Students had to qualify by receiving a Superior (I) Rating at Districts (this is the highest rating you can receive).
We were represented in all 3 programs with students from Huron Valley. Below are the results. 9th grade Soloists and any ensemble receive a Rating from V to I, with I being the highest. Sophomore thru Senior soloists have what is called a Proficiency Exam. You receive a score out of 100, with 85 and above representing a Superior (I) rating. Students are asked to play their solo, several scales, and sightread new music after only getting 1 minute to look at it before having to play it.
SUMMARY RECAP:
EVERY STUDENT/EVENT EXCEPT for 1 event received a Superior Rating from all 3 schools! The student who didn't received a II rating (Excellent) and was only a few points away from a Superior. THIS IS FANTASTIC FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS!!!
There were 36 Individual Performances in the events, with all 36 medaling. 35/36 received a Superior Rating.
INDIVIDUAL RECAP:
IAW:
Aileen Kim - I Violin Solo, I Flute Solo
Seaha Kim - 89 Flute proficiency
Sayaka Minami - 97 Piano proficiency
Gabe Verrino - I Snare Solo
Erin Zemblaku - 86 Alto Sax proficiency, I Woodwind Ensemble
Claire Linen - I Clarinet Choir
Daniel Kim - 86 Cello Proficiency
LHS:
Brendon Kornacki - 87 Flute Proficiency, I - Woodwind Ensemble, I - Duet
Sam Schwartz - I Woodwind Ensemble, I Clarinet Choir
Shelby Hamilton - I Woodwind Ensemble, I Clarinet Choir
Ally Atkinson - I Clarinet Choir
Veronica Wichowski - I Clarinet Choir
Ella Clevenger - I Woodwind Ensemble
Rainah Petersen - I Woodwind Ensemble I - Trio
Lila Mahler - I Trio
Cadence Husted - I Trio
Alyssa Milan - I Clarinet Choir
Jude Flory - I Woodwind Ensemble
Stasha Pigula - I Woodwind Ensemble
Adelaide Phelps - I Woodwind Ensemble
Jack Gallmore - I Woodwind Ensemble
Finally, after the State Solo and Ensemble Festival, our program had a student selected and recognized as an Outstanding Soloist for the State of Michigan (MSBOA) and is a finalist to compete at the Outstanding Soloist Competition held at CMU on March 31st. That student is IA sophomore Sayaka Minami. She was selected for her Piano Solo, and is one of only five Finalists in the entire state on Piano!!! This is an absolutely huge honor and we are thrilled for Sayaka. She will be able to compete for a chance to perform as a Concerto Winner and perform at Western Michigan University in May! Way to go Sayaka!!!
#WeAreLakeland #WeAreHVS #HVSSuccess