Polson district choir and band results

WHITEFISH - The 2010 District Music Festival was held at Whitefish Middle School in Whitefish on April 15-17. About 1200 music students from schools in Music District #1, which stretches from Polson north to the Canadian border, participated in the event. Bands, choirs, orchestras as well as solo and ensembles, performed for judges from around the Northwest.

"I was very pleased with the students' efforts and preparation for the Festival," Polson choir director Chris Bumgarner said. "The six adjudicators were very impressed with the Polson students and had many complimentary things to share with them. From basic fundamentals of breathing and vocal resonance to subtle French and Italian diction, the students received many pointers to improve their singing. This group of students seemed very serious about doing their best and the high number of excellent and superior ratings is evidence of the hard work they put into the music. The three choirs performed their very best and I was extremely proud of them."

Written and verbal comments were given to each entry and the adjudicator spent time with each group, giving suggestions and constructive criticism to help each musician improve.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to work with experts who can share their wisdom and encourage them to become more musical," he said. "It is not a competition between different schools but between the student and the music. Our hope is that the students meet the challenge of the music and not allow the music to overwhelm them. Directors need to know the limits and potential of each student in order to give them songs that they are able to perform successfully."

The solo and ensembles that received superior ratings will perform at the State Music Festival on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at the Helena High school campus.

Polson High School Choral entries:

Concert Choir - 1 Superior and 2 Excellent Ratings in prepared pieces - Superior in Sightreading

Select Choir - 1 Excellent and 2 Good Ratings in prepared pieces - Superior in Sightreading

Mixed Choir - 1 Excellent and 2 Good Ratings in prepared pieces - Excellent in Sightreading

Vocal entries receiving superior ratings:

Solos

Rachael Lake

Jonah Barta

Rob Ricketts

MacKenzie Fortin

Melissa Cisneros

Katja Pihlainen

Duets

MacKenzie Fortin/

Kelsie Howell

Marisa Binder/

Joe Andrews

Ricketts 2

Karissa Koberg/

Tim Rausch

Ian Ricketts/Sam Kinzle

Beth James/

Jacie Morrison

Quartets:

A-Roving 4 - Rob Ricketts, Joe Andrews, Tim Rausch and Jonah Barta

Senior 4 - Melissa Cisneros, MacKenzie Fortin, Rob Ricketts and Logan Garcia

Piano entry receiving a

superior rating:

Karissa Koberg, Kelsey Koberg

Vocal solo and ensemble entries receiving excellent ratings:

Solos:

Laura Barta, Rainee Vassar, Ceylon Brown, Kelsey Koberg, Beth James, Karissa Koberg, Jacie Morrison, Rebecca Lake, Katy Swope, Ian Ricketts,

Duets:

Rebecca Lake/Rachael Lake, Rainee Vassar/Marisa Binder, Kelsey Koberg/Karissa Koberg, Angela Santana/Jamie Morelli, Kelsey Koberg/Katja Pihlainen, Katy Swope/Kelsey Koberg,

Vocal solo entries receiving good ratings:

Marisa Binder, Kelsie Howell and Laura Barta

Polson High School band district music festival results:

Rich Sawyer: Band Director said "The District Festival is a great opportunity to showcase musical abilities of our students, the recognition that they receive after months, even years of hard work pays off at events like this. Students learn new things about themselves and the instrument that they play. It is a treat to watch the growth occur, and to see students get excited about the performing arts."

Polson High School Band Entries:

PHS Symphonic Band: 3 Superior Ratings, 1 Superior in Sightreading.

PHS Concert Band: 3 Excellent Ratings, 1 Excellent in Sightreading.

Instrumental Entries Receiving Superior Ratings:

Solos:

Melissa Cisneros (Flute), Kelsey Koberg (Saxophone), Laura Rost (Trumpet), Brynn Rowley (Saxophone), Madison Hunter (Flute), Devlin Foubert (Clarinet), Jaime Young (Piano and Clarinet)

Duets:

Eric Gerrity/Logan Nutzman (Snare/Bass Drum), Melissa Cisneros/Olivia Costilla (Flute), Jordynn Mays/Niche McLure (Flute), Laura Rost/Sean Hart (Trumpet)

Quartets:

PHS Saxophone Quartet: Jake Bash, Nation Garza, Kelsey Koberg, Brynn Rowley

PHS Brass Quartet: Clay Frissell, Sean Hart, Jacie Morrison, Laura Rost

PHS Clarinet Quartet: Devlin Foubert, Colleen Jacobson, MaKenzie Wegner, Jaime Young

Large Group:

PHS Flute Choir: Melissa Cisneros, Madison Hunter, Amy Williamson, Olivia Costilla, Niche McLure, Delaney Kohler, Jordynn Mays.

Instrumental Entries Receiving Excellent Ratings:

Solos:

Nation Garza (Saxophone), Clay Frissell (Trombone), Logan Nutzman (Snare Drum), Jake Bash (Saxophone), Delaney Kohler (Flute), Laura Hart (Saxophone), Sean Hart (Trumpet)

Duets:

Colleen Jacobsen/MaKenzie Wegner (Clarinet), Nation Garza/Kelsey Koberg (Saxophone), Devlin Foubert/Jaime Young (Clarinet), Devlin Foubert/Madison Hunter (Clarinet-Flute), Delaney Kohler/Niche McLure (Flute)

Trio:

Triple Sackbuts: Clay Frissell, Jacie Morrison, Sam Peel (Trombone).