The Goessel High School Music Department had another successful year at this year?s Kansas State High School Activities Association State Music Festivals, said Mike Connell, band director.
The Class 2A State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival was held April 23 at Cloud County Community College, in Concordia.
?To perform at the state solo/ensemble festival, each performer must have received a highly superior rating at one of the regional festivals held across the state four weeks earlier,? he said.
Of the 32 events Goessel performed at the regional festival, 21 received the top I rating, qualifying for the state festival.
Goessel musicians received a total of 13 I ratings, and eight II ratings.
Prior to state festival, the high school band and choir travelled to Dallas, Texas, to perform in the American Classic Music Festival. In addition, they attended the KSHSAA State Large Group Music Festival in Lindsborg.
?The music department, which has long been recognized for its music excellence, received top ratings and wonderful comments from the festival adjudicators,? he said.
A total of 78 students and six sponsors were in Dallas with each of the Goessel performing groups, concert band, mixed chorus and Elbiata singers, received highly superior marks (I ratings) from each of the judges.
They were also recognized for their high scores with outstanding performance trophies.
At the KSHSAA State Large Group Music Festival at Smoky Valley High School in Lindsborg, the Goessel High School Band, mixed Chorus, men?s chorus and women?s chorus all performed.
?Once again, the students were noted for their musical excellence, with each group receiving I ratings,? Connell said.
The following students who received I ratings included Michelle Unruh, bass clarinet solo; Nikki Bartel, flute solo; Girl?s Vocal Ensemble; Braden Unruh, trumpet solo; Kristen Hoffman, French horn solo; Men?s Vocal Ensemble; Neal Brubaker, trombone solo; Jamie Spoonemore, French horn solo; Elbiata singers; and vocal soloists: Aimee Flaming, Braden Unruh, Josh Booth, and Bryant Miller.
Students receiving II ratings were Bruce Benjamin, trombone solo and Grant Fleming, trumpet solo.
Vocal Solos with II ratings included Alex Hiebert, Aspen Frey, Davis Cook, Isaac Fast, Jessica Goertzen, Shianne DeFreese.
The students are under the direction of Renae Schmidt-Peters, vocal director, and Connell.
?We also want to give a huge thank you to accompanists, Karen Unruh and Marcia Brubaker for their outstanding work in supporting these fine young musicians,? Connell said.
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