Galion students receive high marks at solo and ensemble contests

Press release

Members of the Galion High School Symphonic Band competed in the Ohio Music Education Association District 2 Solo and Ensemble Contest at Marion Harding January 21. Students competed in a total of 23 events, earning 17 “Superior” and 5 “Excellent” ratings.

17 band members entered the solo portion of the contest and performed well. Kendall Moody (clarinet) and Allison Bauer (tuba) each competed in Class A solos and received “Excellent” ratings for their performances. Makenna Mohr (alto saxophone), Autumn Barone (xylophone), Alexis Link (piccolo), Tyler Harris (trumpet), and Madison Lawson (euphonium) received “Superior” ratings in the Class B solo competition, while Allison Bauer (flute) received an “Excellent” rating.

Ceyanna Mohr (clarinet), Jena Harris (trumpet), Douglas Harvey (trombone), Anna Court (trombone), Eleanor Chandler (trumpet), Orchid Parsons (baritone saxophone), and Gabby Akers (tenor saxophone) competed in the Class C solo competition, and each received a “Superior” rating. Paige Rudolph (marimba) and Kyler Ratcliff (euphonium) both received “Excellent” ratings for their Class C solos.

“We had a huge interest in students pursuing solos this year,” said Director of Bands Jessica Hammond. “So many soloists are great because the result is that each student is pushed musically and improves significantly!”

Many of the students who competed as soloists also competed in ensembles during the competition. The brass choir, comprised of Eleanor Chandler (trumpet), Marissa Breinich (trumpet), Farrah Gregg (French horn), Anna Court (trombone), Douglas Harvey (trombone), Allison Bauer (tuba), Rachel Jarvis (trumpet), and Tyler Harris (trumpet), received a “Superior” rating in the Class B competition.

The GHS woodwind trio performed in Class B and received a “Superior” rating. Members of the woodwind trio included Marissa Breinich (oboe), Ceyanna Mohr (clarinet), and Alexis Link (flute). Autumn Barone, Rachel Jarvis, Marissa Breinich, Jacob Kostelnik, Allison Bauer, and Paige Rudolph, all members of the GHS percussion ensemble, received a “Superior” rating as well in the Class B ensemble competition.

The six-member saxophone sextet, comprised of Makenna Mohr (alto), Megan Kostelnik (alto), Kara Painter (alto), Allison Bauer (tenor), Gabby Akers (tenor), and Orchid Parsons (baritone), competed in the Class C ensemble competition and received an “Excellent” rating. Kendall Moody, Maranna White, Ceyanna Mohr, and Raina Wiedrich performed a clarinet quartet together and received a “Superior” rating in Class C.

“I am incredibly proud of all our Symphonic Band members who took on the extra work and time to prepare for this competition,” said Superintendent Jim Grubbs. “Mrs. Hammond does a fantastic job working with our students, and the evidence is clear with their performances in this incredibly difficult competition. Congratulations to all!”