Solo and Ensemble

General Info

The Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) schedules Adjudicated Events throughout the school year to assess both junior high and high school musicians in a variety of settings. OMEA District 5, which encompasses schools in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Ashtabula counties, holds an annual High School Solo and Ensemble Contest on a Saturday in late January or early February. Students from grades 9-12 participate in either a small group setting or as a soloist, and over the past five years, an average of 850 high school performance events have occurred. This event has been hosted by Warren G Harding High School since 2013.

Weeks before, students begin preparing a piece to perform in front of an OMEA judge for a rating from I-V, with I (superior) being the highest rating. High school students are required to perform music from an approved list, which is divided into three difficulty levels: A, B, and C. In addition, soloists need to prepare a certain number of scales or rudiments. Junior high students do not have to pick from a required list, but students must use music approved by their director.

Performances are open to the public; family and friends are allowed to be in the room, however NO recording of any kind is permitted. The performer or ensemble will be disqualified if this rule is not followed. Scores are posted after the performance on the WGH Raider Band website (found here) and are on display in the cafeteria throughout the day. Actual score sheets with the judge's commentary are delivered to the director which are shared with students at the director's discretion after the event.

It is not required, but all WGH Raider Band students are encouraged to participate in some way, either as a performer or a volunteer. Typically, the WGH Band Department takes students in grades 10-12 to the high school event, and freshmen participate in the junior high event. This way, freshmen can volunteer for the high school event without the added pressure of having to perform.

Additional info about Adjudicated Events can be found on the OMEA website.