Tabor hosts regional music festival
Staff writer
The 14th annual regional music festival for high school students from 1A, 2A, and 3A schools was held Saturday at Tabor College. Approximately 600 students, 149 from Hillsboro High School, participated in the festival which included vocal and instrumental performances.
Hillsboro High School band instructor Greg Walker was glad to see the students get to perform.
"They practice for so long for just a few moments in the spotlight," he said.
"This is the beginning of the climax of everything these students work toward," said Brad Vogel, vocal music professor at Tabor College and one of the organizers of the event.
Twelve HHS students and groups were awarded I ratings. They included Kyle Kroeker, vocal solo; Justin Moore, vocal solo; boys' vocal ensemble; vocal ensemble; Lora Andrews, woodwind solo; Jenny Whisenhunt, alto sax solo; Nicole Brouillard, flute solo; sax trio; a flute ensemble; Kelli Just, vocal solo; Clinton Schneider, vocal solo; Aaron Stepanek, vocal solo; and Tyler Suderman, vocal solo.
Students and groups receiving II ratings included Heather Stepanek, vocal solo; Alysha Claassen, vocal solo; Nate Holmes, vocal solo; Darren Enns, vocal solo; vocal ensemble; a vocal ensemble; mixed chorus; the girls' ensemble; the percussion ensemble; Darren Enns, trombone solo; Melissa Hiebert, vocal solo; Laura Lindsay, vocal solo; Jessica Heidel, vocal solo; and Tina Frick, vocal solo.
Sammy Espada, trumpet solo, and the clarinet ensemble received III ratings.
"Without the help of the Tabor faculty and staff, the festival just wouldn't happen," said Vogel. "Fortunately, it went very smoothly, but it's always nice when the weather cooperates."
The state large group festival will be held Wednesday at Bethany College in Lindsborg.
