Fifteen groups, individuals qualify for state music
Eleven individuals and four groups from Hillsboro are headed to state music competition after this weekend's regionals.
According to the Kansas State High School Activities Association, only individuals and small groups are required to compete in regional competition. The large groups go straight to state.
This year, music regionals for this area took place at Tabor College on Saturday. Competitors had to receive a "one" rating to advance to state.
Among Hillsboro High School's vocalists, ten soloists received "one" ratings: Angie Claassen, Emily Railsback, Katie Baltzer, Laura Lindsay, Danielle Kelley, Kelli Just, Kyle Kroeker, Jordan Allen, Heather Stepanek, and Mandy Ratzloff. Spirit-N-Celebration also received a one.
The band competitors from HHS gained four "one" ratings after the day's events. Flute soloist Mandy Ratzlaff got a one, as did the percussion ensemble (Ben Walker, Daniel Wiebe, and Chad Hughbanks), flute trio (Kelli Just, Stephanie King, and Heather Stepanek), and saxophone trio (Caleb Dirks, Shane Ball, and Ryan Fields).
The brass ensemble received a "two" rating. Thomas Murphy, Sammy Espada, Scott Nuss, Michael Roble, and Angie Claassen are in that group.
The vocalists receiving two ratings were: boys' SNC, girls' SNC, Clinton Schneider, Peter Fast, boys' ensemble of nine, girls' ensemble of six, and Blackburn.
Gregg Walker directs the band students, and Dave Clark is in charge of the vocalists.
State competition for all these musicians will take place Friday, April 25, at McPherson College. State competition for large groups will be held Wednesday, April 16, at Ellsworth High School.
Middle school
Vocal musicians from Hillsboro Middle School competed at the MCAA league festival on April 1.
Those earning "one" ratings were: Lauren Just, Audrey Weinbrenner, HMS choir, mixed trio (David Vogel, Caitlin Reimer, Ben Heyden), Jessica Heidel, Tyler Suderman, Aaron Stepanek, Darren Enns, Alysha Claassen, boys' quartet (Michael Suderman, Tyler Suderman, Adam Dirks, Darren Enns), David Vogel, mixed quartet (Enns, JuliAnne Chisholm, Stepanek, Heidel), Reimer, Heyen, girls' ensemble with Amanda Bina, Brittany Davis, Kelsey Unruh, and Becky Steketee, and girls' ensemble with Bobbi Jo Carlson, Janessa Klose, Jessica Klose, Stephanie Abbott, Corissa Bartel, Just, and Amber Loewen.
Those earning "two" ratings were: Carlson, Anna Woelk, Tina Frick, Whitney Allen, Janet Glahn, Kelli Janzen, Elissa Richert, Unruh, and Stekettee.
