Sheridan High School students shine at district & state solo & ensemble events

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

Throughout the month of February, Sheridan Middle and High School students have been actively competing at the district and state solo and ensemble events, showcasing their talent and hard work in a variety of categories. From vocal performances to instrumental categories such as wind and percussion, these students have demonstrated exceptional musicality and dedication.

Sheridan High Schools (SHS) students excelled at these events and they did not come back empty-handed; several students received gold ratings for their performances, which is an outstanding achievement.

At Sheridan Middle School (SMS), students Lily Power, Daniel Hmielewski, Joshua Dodson, and Lizz Powers received a gold rating for their instrumental solos. The trio of Waylon Hoffman, Mia Seats, and Micah Smoot received a gold rating for their percussion ensemble.

SMS students who attended with a vocal solo were Dakota Barrick, Alaina Gilkey, Landon Glunt, Jacob Glunt, Lana Lechner, Aryana Merrill, Emma Miller, Alanah Morris, Frances Stites, Audrey Weir, and Annetta White.

SMS students who participated in an ensemble were Kylee Bybee, Keeley Carrico, Bristol Carrico, Machya Fosnight, Alaina Gilkey, Landon Glunt, Ruby Johnson, Patrick Kelly, Ashlyn Moorman, Lily Power, Eli Ritchie, Jade Robinson, Stella Smith, Hunter Smith, Aubrey Sterling, Frances Stites, Alyssa Tarver, Kharma Walters, and Annetta White.

SHS instrumental soloists Ava McLean, Geo Barras, Eric Herhalt, Devyn Pewarski, and Madison Underwood all received gold ratings. The instrumental ensemble of Teddy Cooper, Gavin Sutton, Gracie Stowers and Steel Townsend received a silver rating for their ensemble.

SHS instrumental ensembles of Gracie Stowers, Gavin Sutton, and Madison Underwood; Lillian Dunn, Ava McLean, and Devyn Pewarski; Addie Houde, Chloe Wright, Kaiden Steen, Vivian Olivas, and Madeline Sterling; and Donovan Aleman-Lewis, Geo Barras, Malcolm Fredriks, Jasmine Godbey, and Elisha Henderson all received a gold rating for their ensemble. Also, the ensemble of Chloe Wright, Madeline Sterling, and Vivian Olivas were able to perform for judge’s comments with their ensemble.

SHS vocal soloists who attended the competition were Lucy Cooper, Nicole Dixon, Clover Dorsey, Anna Knochel, Ellie O’Banion, Izzy O’Brien, Alexia Peabody, Chloe Pettit, Jasmine Pettit-Godbey, Devyn Pewarski, Grace Pratt, Kennedy Ritchie, Norah Stites, Sarah Vernon, Scarlett Wittbrod, and Timmy Oswalt. Of the vocal soloist students who were listed in Group 1 (the most difficult category), went to state, and received a gold rating are Lucy Cooper, Nicole Dixon, Clover Dorsey, Devyn Pewarski, Norah Stites, and Scarlett Wittbrod. Ellie O’Banion received a silver rating.

SHS students who participated in one or more ensembles are Kailee Barnette, Suri Birmingham, Willa Bowen, Lucy Cooper, Nicole Dixon, Lilly Dunn, Doug Earley, Amy Foley, Felicity Garrett, Emily Guerrero, LeeAnn Huffman, Steph Hunt, Bella Keeler, Ethan Kissling, Anna Knochel, Ellie O’Banion, Izzy O’Brien, Brian Olivas, Timmy Oswalt, Alexia Peabody, Jasmine Pettit-Godbey, Chloe Pettit, Devyn Pewarski, Grace Pratt, Kennedy Ritchie, Shay Rose, Colton Sebastian, Bella Stapleton, Eli Stevens, Norah Stites, Gracie Stowers, Gavin Sutton, and Scarlett Wittbrod.

SHS students who are involved in the Chamber Choir also advanced to state and received a gold rating. Of the 38 students in the high school choirs, 35 participated in at least one event at Solo & Ensemble.

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The district and state solo and ensemble competitions at SHS provide students with valuable performance experience. These events also allow students to gain constructive feedback from expert judges, pushing them to continue improving and pursuing their musical passions.

With their strong performances in February’s events, SHS’s music students continue to build on their success. The school’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to grow, compete, and excel sets the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future. Both choir and band directors, Libby Doublestein and Patrick Cronin, shared, “We are so proud of all of the students who participated in Solo and Ensemble this year. They all worked hard and devoted time to practice and performing. Their efforts benefit them as musicians and as people who learn to achieve their goals in life!”

Students and the community can look forward to another exciting performance with the band concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6 at the high school. These events will showcase the incredible talent of the music program, and everyone is encouraged to attend and support the hardworking students.