Percussionists and soloist earn high state ratings

Published 10:59 pm Monday, May 25, 2009

Bonney Lake High School’s percussion ensemble and White River High School’s Matt Reed received superior or higher ratings at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and Washington Music Educators Association 2009 State Solo and Ensemble Contests April 24 and 25 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.

Judges recognized all musicians or vocalists who received a Superior composite rating. Reed, alto-bass clarinet, earned that distinction in the solo woodwinds competition. The Bonney Lake High percussion ensemble was honored in the percussion-large category.

The ensemble contest included small and large ensembles in seven categories: woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, women’s vocal, men’s vocal and mixed vocal. There were 29 solo categories, including seven woodwind, five brass, four percussion, four strings, and six vocal categories, as well as piano, guitar and harp.

This event provided the opportunity for the finest of state’s high school music students to hear one another in a competitive situation.

From the 22 regional contests, the winners in each category advanced to state where first, second and third places are selected.