From left, John Beasley (sr.), Nolan Weimer (jr.), Elizabeth Brouns (jr.), Isaiah Thummel (jr.), Giuseppe Fregoli (so.), Luke Zerona (sr.), Grace Khouri (jr.), Megan Thornton (sr.), Clinton Ivory (sr.), Madeline MacIntyre (fr.), Margaret Allard (so.) and Eli Thummel (fr.), are among the 16 NDP students who qualified for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association's state finals in Solo and Ensemble performance. The finals will be held March 17 at Stoney Creek High School.
Joe Martin, who is Notre Dame's director of bands, said his kids performed admirably at Brighton's festival.
"Congratulations to the 46 NDP Symphony Band students who participated in the MSBOA Solo & Ensemble District Festival at Brighton High School," he said. "They received eight firsts, 12 seconds, and two third-division ratings. Sixteen students will now move on to states, March 17, at Stoney Creek High School."
More on MSBOA Solo & Ensemble competition:
Solo & Ensemble Festival is an opportunity for individual students from member schools to perform a selection of their choice for adjudication.
In district competition, each student or group of students is evaluated by one judge and rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the highest rating possible. Students or groups who earn a rating of 1 (or "superior") are qualified for the state Solo & Ensemble Festival, which is held on March 17th at Rochester Stoney Creek High School.
The basic structure of state Solo & Ensemble Festival is the same as district, but the students are held to a higher standard. Soloists in grades 10 through 12 must perform proficiency exams that include scales and sight reading. Students and ensembles who are chosen for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band, Orchestra, Soloists and Ensembles come from the highest rated events at the state festival. Participating students who earn a rating of 1 or 2 at district or state festivals are eligible for medals.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.