Eighteen Wautoma High School Band and Choir students advanced to the Wisconsin School Music Association State Solo & Ensemble Festival following their performances at the District Festival on Feb. 24 at Mauston High School. Of those who participated, six instrumental and 16 choral events qualified for the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Competition to be held on Saturday, April 27, at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The students prepared vocal solos, instrumental solos, duets, and ensembles. To qualify for the State Solo & Ensemble competition, students are evaluated by the adjudicators on a strict rubric and must receive a 1* rating in a Class A, or advanced, event.
The band students who advanced to State included: Hannah Jensen and Lily Thomsen-Keller, percussion duet; Reagan DeMars, oboe solo; Nelida Rodriguez, alto sax solo; Dexter Schumacher, French Horn Solo; and Tony Torres, with both his bari sax and alto sax solos.
The choir students selected to advance following their performances included: Addison DeMars, Classical Solo, Musical Theater Solo; Josh Konczal, Classical Solo; Ashley Rivera Dominguez, Classical Solo, Musical Theater Solo; Max Scharnhorst, Classical Solo, Musical Theater Solo; Alyssa Szymanski, Classical Solo, Musical Theater Solo; Zach Smith, Classical Solo; Tony Torres, Classical Solo; Addison DeMars and Reagan DeMars, duet; Aivah Bailey and Emilia Iacobazzi, duet; Addison DeMars and Isybela Woyak, duet; Jose Rivera Dominguez and Ashley Rivera Dominguez, duet; Aivah Bailey, Emilia Iacobazzi, Ashley Rivera Dominguez, trio.
“I am elated with the successful day of performances by WHS vocalists,” stated Mr. Dubnicka. “From my perspective as their teacher, I saw a clear increase in the students' dedication and appreciation for preparation which resulted in excellent performances from all singers. And then, for the students to be such professionals when working with their judges made myself and WHS proud. We look forward to fine-tuning and developing these performances further for the WSMA State Solo and Ensemble Festival this coming April.”