Hillsboro High School and Goessel High School musicians performed Saturday at State Solo and Ensemble Music Festival, earning good reviews.

To qualify for state festival, a soloist or small ensemble must earn a I — superior — rating at regionals. A II rating is considered excellent, and III, average.

HHS participated in 3A state festival at Southeast of Saline High School

HHS vocal ensembles and students receiving I ratings were Nolan Dirks, Jessica Elliott, Mandi Roble, Jet Skiles, Nathan Vogel, Carly Weisbeck, Spirit-N-Celebration, SNC men, SNC women, and freshman/sophomore girls’ ensemble.

Cassie Kroeker, Luke Moore, Hayley Pankratz, Dakota Peterson, and Heidi Schroeder each received a II rating.

Percussion ensemble and Matthew Wiebe, trumpet, each earned a I rating for HHS band. Sara Jones, flute, received a II rating.

Students are under the direction of Vocal Director Lynn Just and Band Director Gregg Brown.

Goessel High School

Goessel High School students performed Saturday at Stucky Middle School in Wichita. They are under the direction of Vocal Director Greg Bontrager and Band Director Mike Connell.

GHS ensembles receiving I ratings were clarinet quartet, girls’ vocal ensemble, saxophone ensemble, and Elbiata Singers.

Soloists receiving I ratings were Nicki Bartel, flute; Amy Brubaker, clarinet and vocal; Isaac Fast, vocal; Aspen Frey, vocal; Jessica Goertzen, vocal; Jamie Spoonemore, French horn; Austin Unruh, vocal; Braden Unruh, trumpet and vocal; Laura Unruh, clarinet and vocal; Michelle Unruh, bass clarinet; and Chrystiana Voth, clarinet and vocal.

Receiving II ratings were boys’ vocal ensemble; brass choir; Neal Brubaker, trombone and vocal; Hannah Franzen, tenor saxophone; Kristen Hoffman, French horn; Bryant Miller, vocal; and Kristin Unruh, flute and vocal.

Accompanists were Karen Unruh and Marcia Brubaker.