Front row, left to right: Laney Myhre, Autumn Dovre, Faith Myhre, Brayden Downing. Middle row. Left to right: Alyssa Engels, Emma Lipinski, Wyatt Pohlen, Thomas Belaen, Max Rost. Back row, left to right: Noah Harms, Cora Fischer, Garrett Peterson, Sam Skorczewski. Not pictured: Sylvia Rabaey, Ella Johnson, Joe Voit, Dakoda Hennen.

Band, choir students excel at music contest

Minneota band and choir students competed in the Sub-district 11 Solo Ensemble Music Contest last Thursday at Lakeview High School in Cottonwood and earned superior ratings in all nine categories they competed in.
All contestants are judged on a 40-point scale, with eight sections worth five points each. A score of 35-or-more is required in order to receive a superior rating.
The Minneota band is directed by John Voit and the choir director is Mary Kaye Rabaey.
Emma Lipinski, a senior, received the only "perfect 40" rating by the judges.
Lipinski, competing in Soprano Solo, performed "A Heart That's Free" by Alfred G. Robyn.
"I worked with Sue Schreier on the piece because it has some difficult vocal runs," Lipinski said. "She has really helped me polish the piece and even helped give me the confidence to interpret the song my own way."
Sylvia Rabaey participated in three categories in which she received a superior rating -- Soprano Solo, French Horn Solo and Jazz Band. Laney Myhre also received superior ratings in three categories -- Saxophone Duet, Tenor Saxophone Solo and Jazz Band.
Seventeen Minneota band and choir students competed in the music contest.
"These kids are dedicated and wanted to do this," said Voit. "That's why we saw them all get superior ratings."
Other Minneota students who received a superior rating were: Autumn Dovre and Laney Myhre in Saxophone Duet, Dovre in Alto Saxophone Solo, and Joe Voit in Trombone Solo.
Jazz Band members who received a superior rating included Thomas Belaen, Brayden Downing, Alyssa Engels, Faith Myhre, Laney Myhre, Noah Harms, Cora Fischer, Dakoda Hennen, Ella Johnson, Garret Peterson, Wyatt Pohlen, Sylvia Rabaey, Max Rost, Sam Skorczewski, and Joe Voit.
Because of COVID restrictions last year, the event was held virtually, but only Lipinski and Brooke DeSmet competed from Minneota.
On Tuesday, May 10, band and choir students in grades 7-12 will hold a music concert at the high school. On Thursday, May 12, the elementary music students in grades K-6 will hold their concert, with a "Grandparents Day" concert at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 13.

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