Musicians get high marks at league
High ratings abounded for Hillsboro High School musicians last week at the MCAA league music festival, held March 11 in Nickerson.
Many of Hillsboro's vocalists took home I ratings at the competition. The concert choir, mixed chorus, and Spirit N Celebration all received "I" ratings, as did the freshman/sophmore boys' group of 10, SNC boys' group of 10, and SNC girls' group of 10.
Soloists receiving "I" ratings were Kelli Just, Mandy Ratzloff, Angie Claassen, Anne Ryding, Danielle Kelley, Jordan Allen, Luca Blackburn, Katie Baltzer, Clinton Schneider, Kyle Kroeker, Peter Fast, and Laura Lindsay.
Soloist Heather Stepanek and the girls' trio each received a "II plus" rating.
Vocal director David Clark said his musicians performed well and took home many medals.
"We were really pleased," he said.
Hillsboro's instrumental musicians also attended league last week, despite depleted numbers and a lack of practice.
Several hardships have hit the band program lately, said director Gregg Walker. He was away for nearly two weeks due to a family illness, and one student who played two band parts was removed from school. Then the two eighth-grade students recruited to play those two parts got sick on the day of competition.
For the pieces of music that Hillsboro plays, a 50-piece band would be reasonable, Walker said. HHS has 25 students.
Despite those setbacks, the Hillsboro band garnered a "2" rating, as did the percussion ensemble and the clarinet ensemble. The percussion ensemble featured Ben Walker, Daniel Wiebe, and Chad Hughbanks. Danielle Kelley, Meredith Kliewer, and Jackie Fisher were in the clarinet ensemble.
"I am very proud of the kids," Walker said.
Walker said that the players' new tuxedo uniforms made a positive impression on the judges, since many of the other competitors just wore jeans and a T-shirt.
He was also glad that the band received a "2" rating from an extremely hard judge who has no qualms about awarding a "5."
"That was a pretty good rating from him," Walker said.
Next up for both vocalists and instrumentalists is the regional competition. Only soloists and small ensembles go to regionals, which will be held Saturday, April 5, at Tabor. After regionals, these groups will go on to state April 25 at McPherson College.
The large groups bypass regionals and go directly to state competition, which starts Wednesday, April 16, at Ellsworth High School.
