Pierce Band Excels at District Music Contest
By Josie Painter
For over 12 years, the Pierce High band has earned superior ratings at the district music contest, and this year, along with several other small group performances and solos, was no different.
The band’s success is tied not just to talent, but also to hard work. After Christmas, the individual groups and solos began picking their pieces. In February, they begin working through the music, and during March and April, they do their most extensive work. The secret to their success, according to band director Michael Sindt, is “going through the little details.” He also noted that the biggest challenge is “trying to get to all the individual groups and soloists.”
At the contest for solos and small group performances, there is one judge in the room. After all events are complete, the judge picks one outstanding event and two honorable mentions. In room 407, junior Aubrie Zimmerman earned the outstanding event, and sophomore Avery Wragge received an honorable mention. In room 404, junior Spencer Sindt earned an outstanding event, and the Dixieland Band received an honorable mention.
“I’m so proud of everyone in all of our ensembles for all the hard work we have put in towards all of the pieces and performances this year! Our ratings at the district music contest showed our dedication and were worth it,” Zimmerman said.
The entire band performed “Brighton Beach,” a marching song, and “Sunburst,” a musical representation of the sunlight bursting through the clouds after a storm. The Pierce jazz band also played at the contest, performing their festival tunes called “Blues for Gum,” “Ever After,” and “Backlash.” Their performance received a superior rating in all categories from all three judges, which earned them a plaque.
There were an astounding 18 solos or groups that performed at the contest. In order of performance, Lillian Blank played the clarinet and earned a superior, Trinity Christiansen played the flute and earned a superior, Jayna Prochaska played the saxophone and earned a superior, Makayla Shefl played the flue and earned a superior, the Dixie Band earned a superior in all categories, Jared Northcutt and Brayden Passyka performed a cornet and trumpet duet and earned an excellent, S. Sindt playing the trombone and earned a superior in all categories, Carter Sindt played the horn and earned a superior in all categories, Brooke Wortman played the flute and earned an excellent, the brass quintet earned a superior on all categories, the low brass ensemble earned a superior in all categories, Mya Johnson and Makayla Sheft played a flute duet and earned a superior, the flute and clarinet quintet earned a superior, the percussion ensemble earned a superior in all categories, Christian Nordby played the cello and earned a superior, Mya Johnson played the flute and earned a superior, Wragge played the clarinet and earned a superior in all categories, and Zimmerman played the clarinet and earned a superior in all categories.
Whether it is the entire band, a group, or a solo, they never fail to make beautiful music. Be sure to congratulate all the band members and give a special thank you to the director who makes it all happen.
