Every year, Algona High School participates in solo and small group ensemble contest towards the end of the year. In this, either a soloist or a group of musicians sing or play an instrument together, along with a piano accompanist.
This year, the Algona band and choir students traveled to Spencer on Saturday, March 25th, to perform their solo/small ensemble in front of judges. There were a total of 45 Algona music students who participated.
In the vocal music area, students who received Division I ratings are Nathan Reebenacker, Riker Brindley, Reese Taylor, Loralei Brady, Dane Nygaard, Seth Walker, and Sydney Seebecker. The small ensemble group, the Treble Triple Trio, also received a Division I rating.
In band, Division I ratings include Brooklyn Adams and Ashlyn Waldera for flute solos, Axel Mortensen and Chance Studer for horn solos, Nick DePue for a marimba solo, Dane Nygaard on euphonium, Jaxon Roberts on trumpet, Audrey Snider on clarinet, and Kinnick Sullivan on the timpani.
Division II vocal soloists include: Remi Shaffer, Brooklyn Adams, Natalee Reemtsma, Jozzie Beaver, Dane Nygaard, Elliot McKeage, Hannah Severson, Jordan Jansen, Flynn McCann, Chevelle Awe, Allison Trunkhill, Kinnick Sullivan, Evan Posey, and Ryley Riggert. The two Treble Duets, including Elliot McKeage and Flynn McCann, and also Sydney Seebecker and Aleena Rosacker, received Division II ratings. The Mixed Octet, including Sydney Seebecker, Emily Walker, Natalee Reemtsma, Hannah Severson, Seth Walker, Evan Posey, Dane Nygaard, and Isaiah Harrison, received a Division II.
For Division II band solos, on flute: Jozzie Beaver, Sydney Casey, and Evie Guenther. Loralei Brady on trombone, Hannah Severson on the tuba, Ace Studer on alto saxophone, Abbie Droessler on clarinet, and Adeline Reynolds on the bass clarinet all received Division II ratings. A Trumpet Trio, including Emma Smith, Jaxon Roberts, and Rylee Wolf, as well as a trombone quartet, including Loralei Brady, Axel Mortensen, Jace Mortensen, and Dane Nygaard, received Division II ratings.
Receiving Division III ratings were Gabriel Thorton with a trumpet solo and a flute and tuba duet performed by Evie Guenther and Hannah Severson.
Congratulations to all Algona High School students who participated in the IHSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival. It was such a wonderful event for music! Mr. Connors stated, “Our students worked really hard, often giving extra time and countless hours of practice. I’m very proud of how they performed. This event is really good to break them out of their shell.”