THS musicians take part in State Solo and Ensemble Festival

For the Tomahawk Leader

STEVENS POINT – Numerous Tomahawk High School (THS) students competed at the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Solo and Ensemble Festival, held on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus on Monday, May 6.

THS had a total of 12 state-qualifying events that were performed.

Second Division ratings were earned by the Junior-Senior Soprano-Alto ensemble consisting of Ella Hilgendorf, Ryu Fuszard, AJ Schertz, Murphy Koth, Arawen Alberg, Bella Marino, Akira Sawada, Scarlet McKenzie, and Julia McGovern; and by the Freshman-Sophomore Soprano-Alto ensemble comprised of Dorian Stefan, Jayden Dellinger, Kaylee Roberts, Greta Kurth, Sadie Ruder, Ayla Lewison, and Naomi Nelson.

In addition, Division II ratings were earned by Murphy Koth, vocal solo; Scarlet McKenzie, alto saxophone solo; and Greta Kurth, vocal solo.

First Division ratings were earned by Bella Marino, vocal solo; Ayla Lewison, vocal solo; Elliot O'Connor, alto saxophone solo; Xan Sutton, vocal solo and musical theater solo; Murphy Koth and Arawen Alberg, vocal duet; and Arawen Alberg, musical theater solo.

“The THS music faculty is extremely proud of the very fine musicianship that our students put on display at the festival,” a release from the THS Music Department said. “We would like to congratulate them on their hard work and practice time that brought them to this point.”

The release said THS offers many curricular and co-curricular opportunities for students in music, including Concert Band and Chamber Choir, music festivals and an annual musical theater production.

Approximately 70 students elect to participate in the school’s two curricular music ensembles.

Each school year in Wisconsin, approximately 11,000 performances qualify for state from their district music festivals, involving more students in a state-level event than almost any other co-curricular program. State Solo and Ensemble Festivals are held on 11 University campuses across Wisconsin in late April and early May.

More information on all WSMA programs can be found at www.wsmamusic.org.