Waldon Middle School had many students receive First and Second Division ratings at the Solo and Ensemble Festival for District Four in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
The bi-annual event was held at Scripps Middle School on Dec. 3. District Four includes the western half of Oakland County, and all of Livingston County.
Students took part in over 700 events, and were evaluated by 13 professional judges. The students were evaluated in the areas of tone quality, intonation (tuning), rhythm, general technique and musical interpretation.
Students were awarded marks from a First Division rating (the highest) to a Fifth Division rating.
Waldon students receiving First Division ratings were: Lyndsey Jackson, Ryan Wurst, Mark Swetich, Taylor Waite, Caitlin Tice, Shane Freeman (two events), Austin Voydanoff, Morgan Gorris, Stephen Nowicki, Brian Diven, Thomas D’Ambrosio (two events), Brad Norman, and Brandi Frisbie (three events).
Also receiving First Division ratings for Waldon: Chrissie Forrest, Sarah Swietlick, Evan Heinze (two events), Karen Graves, Erica Babich, Susi Neal, Justin Ristau, Kara Menzie, Rachael Barak, Shelby Chambers, Jacob Bevilacqua, Lyndsey Butterfield, Ron Stencel, Zach Stencel, Parisa Soraya, and Rachel Stuef.
Receiving Second Division ratings for Waldon were: Drew Adams, Will Miller, Nick Ostezan, Ron Ostezan, Steven Swetich, Nick Wilmot, Taylor Waite, Rachel McDonald, Ryan Wurst, Nick Ribaric, Brenna Johnson, Kayti Hurd, Julia Basso, Evan Heinze and Marissa Matthews.
Also receiving Second Division ratings: Alyssa Leske, Megan Nash, Jeff Slavick, Monica Godoshian, and Alex Shubitowski.
Also participating from Waldon were: Paola Mendez, Marisa Martini, Casey Debien, Andrew Hanson, Jeff Slavick, and Samantha Blakely.
Band director Michael Edwards said the students produced one of the best efforts in Waldon’s history.