A total of 11 winners for Solo and Ensemble and 14 alternates will be going to State Solo and Ensemble contest on April 24-25 representing Wenatchee High School, after competing at WHS in recent weeks during the regional contest.
“It’s always rewarding to have most of the winner and alternates from the regional contest,” Band Director Jim Kovach said.
Sophomore Kendal Buak won the competition for her solo on the clarinet. She has played the clarinet since sixth grade, and started taking private lessons in seventh grade. For her solo, she had to prepare a piece for a judge and perform it for a score.
“I didn’t expect winning the competition,” Buak said. “[It] feels pretty good to make it to State this year.”
From here, she will move up to State on April 24 and compete against everyone that won in the clarinet category.
Sophomore Spencer Engel will be going to State for timpani, and for his ensemble group, along with being first alternate for State on the snare drum.
Since sixth grade, Engel has been interested in music. “In middle school you get the option either sports clubs or music or even some of both, I chose the music department and that turned out to be the right choice,” Engel said.
Winners from WHS that won for solo categories are:
Junior Rhiannon Schaub on cello
Sophomore Kendal Buak on clarinet
Sophomore Julian Hernandez on snare drum
Senior Cierra Wright on marimba
Sophomore Andy Schmidt on multiple percussion
Sophomore Spencer Engle on timpani
The winners for ensembles are:
Small Percussion Ensemble
Large Percussion Ensemble
Small Woodwind Ensemble
Large Woodwind Ensemble
Large String Ensemble
The WHS alternates are:
Sophomore Spencer Engel on snare drum
Senior Patricio Alvarez on multiple percussion
Small Woodwind Ensemble
Senior Riley Rosser on clarinet
Large Woodwind Ensemble
Sophomore Christina Heater on flute
Senior Claire Devereaux on flute
Senior Jessie Fore on violin
Sophomore Sabrina Zhu on cello
Large String Ensembles
Large Brass Ensembles
Small Brass Ensembles