Playing the High Note For Sand Creek

By: Gavin Marks

The middle school solo and ensemble event takes place on November 23, in Charlotte. The high school solo and ensemble will be on February 1 at Tecumseh High School. This event is for band students who want to display their skills in either a solo with piano accompaniment or ensemble, which is with two or more students playing together.

This is not a requirement for band students. Middle school students will not have to practice for thirty minutes each week as homework if they participate in this event. Erika Meckley says she has to participate in this for Chamber Ensemble, a class, which band students get extra practice and more performances.

This performance is done in front of judges who give a rating one through five, with a one being the best. Many aspects determine what rating a student gets, such as, tone, dynamics and phrasing. Students have to give their original music to the event for judges to see.

Students report to the warm-up room thirty minutes before their performance to tune and to get ready for their performance. The performance has to be two or more minutes long or they will be marked off points.

Students are practicing almost everyday and are eager to achieve ones.