The Goessel High School Music Department participated in the KSHSAA State Music Festival for large ensembles April 13 in Marion. The high school band, choir, men’s glee, and women’s glee earned Division I ratings.

Many students performed at the KSHSAA Solos and Small Ensembles festival. Performing solos at the regional festival April 2 at Tabor College were Kara Schmucker, vocal; Mark Schmidt, flute; Shane Goerzen, vocal; Alex Hiebert, vocal; Gracie Sullivan, flute; Stephan Goertzen, vocal; Samantha Jarvis, vocal; Jana Stifel, oboe; Shianne Defreese, vocal and tuba; and Kendra Flaming, vocal.

Musicians who advanced from the regional festival with I ratings to perform April 30 at the state festival in Wichita were Reece Hiebert, vocal and bass clarinet; Bruce Benjamin, trombone; Georgia Thiesen, vocal; Peter Voth, vocal; Neal Brubaker, vocal and trombone, and Michelle Unruh, vocal.

Students earning I ratings at both regional and state levels were Ben Wiens, saxophone; Grant Flaming, trumpet; Georgia Thiesen, flute; Aimee Flaming, vocal; Alex Schmidt, vocal; Braden Unruh, vocal and trumpet; Michelle Unruh, clarinet; Saxophone Ensemble; Elbiata Singers, Elbiata Women’s Ensemble; and Elbiata Men’s Ensemble. The vocal instructor is Renae Schmidt Peters and the instrumental instructor is Robert Tierney. Marcia Brubaker and Karen Unruh were the accompanists.