On Dec. 30, 76 Scripps Middle School band and orchestra students participated in 52 events at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District IV Solo and Ensemble Festival.
The festival also was hosted by Scripps Middle School. Students performed as soloists, or in small ensembles for an expert adjudicator.
The students were graded on their tone quality, intonation, rhythm, technique and interpretation. These grades were then averaged together for an overall rating of I, II, III, IV, or V, with I being the highest.
Students earning a I or II received a medal for their achievement in that event, and 53 percent of Scripps Band events earned the highest rating possible.
The following Scripps Band students received a First Division rating and a blue medal: Mary Ouzonian (bassoon solo), Matthew Kuehl (trumpet solo), Eric Wandschneider and Juan Escobar (trumpet trio with Kuehl), Molly Jacobs and Emily Maguire (clarinet duet), Nathan Quattrochi (tuba solo), and Adam Ilenich (violin solo).
Also receiving First Division ratings: Zac Nowicki (violin duet with Ilenich), Alex Casanova (trumpet solo); Brad Garrison, (alto sax), Ryan Carberry (tenor sax), and Brent Carberry (bass clarinet) for their trio; Alex Kimmel (clarinet solo), Bobby Michels (clarinet solo); Lauren Lee and Jessica Cosentino (flutes), and Jackie Steimel (clarinet), for their trio.
Others: Collin McGran (marimba solo and snare drum solo), Katie Bruin (marimba solo), Petar Simic (snare drum solo), Ryan Matheny (marimba solo); Blake Romanowski, Stephanie Roberts, Kyle Musser, William Criel, with McGran, Bruin and Matheny (percussion septet); McKenna Jander and Julie Martin (flute duet), Alyssa Hillman and Kaylin Nicholas (flute duet); Jander, Martin and Jackie Truscott (alto saxophone trio); Sara Hughes (flute solo), Julia Gjebic (oboe solo); and Samantha Noe (clarinet), Jamie Tasco (bass clarinet) and Abbe Richards (trombone), for their trio.
The students are seventh or eighth grade members of the Scripps Cadet Band, Concert Winds and Orchestra.
They are taught by instrumental music teacher Eric Crimmins, and local private teachers.