I am happy to announce that the following students received high ratings at the State Music Festival that was this past weekend, April 26, at SE of Saline High School.  We qualified the most entries that TMP has ever taken since I have been here at TMP.  The State Festival for solos and ensembles as well as the State Festival for Bands and Choir is the climax of the year for music education.  This is the festival that any student and director needs to work toward to accomplish the highest honor of the school year.  From the I ratings that the students receive, many colleges offer scholarships to these students.  Any student applying for a music scholarship is asked how many trips they made to the state festival.  We qualified 20 entries and brought home 12 #I ratings (23 state medals) and 8 #II ratings.

Those students receiving a I rating were:

Sheila Dickerson with a Vocal Solo

Rebecca Urban with a Vocal Solo

Girls Double Trio (Consisting of: Sheila Dickerson, Rebecca Urban, Desirea Renz, Christy Dowling, Stephanie Schmeidler and Jenna Schulte - with Brandon Beck accompanying on the oboe)

Preston Werth with a Cello Solo

Preston Werth with a Trombone Solo

Paul Flesher with a Trombone Solo

Mason Ruder with a Trombone Solo

Rebecca Urban with a Bassoon Solo

Emily Volker with a French Horn Solo

Paul Schmeidler with a Baritone Solo

Nathan Felder with a Bari Sax Solo

Saxophone Sextet (consisting of: Jeff Stramel, Samie Pfeifer, Darren Wellbrock, Andrew Heimann, Andrew Allen, and Nathan Felder)

Those receiving a II Rating were:

Samie Pfeifer - Vocal Solo

Jenna Schulte - Vocal Solo

Christy Dowling - Vocal Solo

Stephanie Schmeidler - Vocal Solo

Brandon Beck - Vocal Solo

Brandon Beck - Oboe Solo

Trombone Trio - Consisting of Paul Flesher, Mason Ruder, Preston Werth

Woodwind Quintet - Consisting of Hayley Kwon, Ace Kim, Brandon Beck, Rebecca Urban, and Emily Volker

On April 17th the band traveled to FHSU for the State Band competition.  At this competition, the bands are asked to play two selections with one of them being from a required list of music that the state puts together.  With TMP being a 3A school, we need to select music from the Grade 2 or above list.  The music lists range from Grade 1 music to Grade 6 music.  Grade 6 is usually college level music.  This year we played a March entitled "Silvercrest" that was a grade 3 and our required overture was from the grade 4 level entitled "Emperato Overture".  The band is judged by 3 judges that the state selects and then the ratings are averaged out for a final rating.  Our band received a I rating from all three judges and was awarded a state plaque that is placed in the band room.

I am so very proud of these kids and want to congratulate both the parents and the students for their support in music education.  What a great year we've had!

--Kathy Dreiling Amrein

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