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Music Students Participate in Solo & Ensemble Contest

Students from St. Philomena School recently participated in the annual Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) solo and ensemble contest at Illinois Central College. Band instructor, Pam Evenson and choir director/music teacher, Mary Rose Williams worked with the students to prepare them for the competition. Both teachers expressed how hard the students worked and the courage it takes to get in front of their peers and a judge for this competition. Congratulations to all participants. A special thank you to parishioner, Maria Hercik, for accompanying our students on the piano. We are appreciative of her time and talent.

Nine instrumental students performed solo pieces receiving four scores of 1 and five scores of 2, with 1 being the highest achievable score. Students are scored by a judge who is a master of their particular instrument. Instrumental students who competed are as follows: Aidan Kenney and Joe Ehrhart – percussion; Aidan Werry – clarinet; Maddie MacGregor, Michael Carson and John Couri – saxophone; Sie Couri – trumpet; Aidan Lemons – trombone; Eddie Couri – baritone. Eddie Couri and Aidan Kennedy received perfect scores for their performances.

On the voice side of the contest, 21 students competed as solos or part of a duet or trio. Vocal students received seven scores of 1 and four scores of 2. Students who competed are as follows: solos – Ella Coulter, Grace Best, Lila Homolka, John Couri, Aidan Werry; duets – Ryanne Blasek and Eddie Couri; Marin Ruskusky and Emery Ribordy; Ranya Wright and Kelli Grow; Trey Spiller, Gabe Lewis, Maddie MacGregor and Abby Miller; trios – Peyton Jones, Natalie Navetta and Lexie Beiermann; Claire Coulter, Tyler Weaver and Merrick Maloney. Ryanne Blasek and Eddie Couri received a perfect score for their performance.