You always hear about sports competitions, but now it’s the music program’s competitions time to shine.
Band, orchestra and choir all have their District Solo Ensemble Contest on March 27 and 28. It will be held at LHS both days.
“In total, there will be about 1,450 entries for the event over the two days, which means at least 1,450 students in the metro will participate,” Band Director Eddy Owen said. “I anticipate having over 125 students from Liberty High School participating.”
Solo Ensemble Contest is a contest for students to perform in front of one judge and get rated on their performance on a one to five scale, a one being excellent.
The directors, Rika Heruth, Eddy Owen and Mary Lou Jones, have to help plan the events, help their students prepare their pieces and allow additional class time for the ensembles to practice. Preparation for each event is usually the students responsibility but the directors’ help with ensemble coaching.
“I am preparing and performing 40 different songs along with the students,” Choir Director Rika Heruth said.
The accumulative, ideal goal is to get a one at districts and move on to state.
“[My goal is to get a] one. We got a one at districts and a two at state last year,” sophomore Christopher Gaddy said.
Due to the fact only 36 blue jay soloists are able to attend Solo Ensemble, being able to go, as a freshman is a significant achievement.
“Just the fact that I get to go [is exciting],” freshman Jackson Witt said. “[My goal is] to get a one and advance to state, but I’d be happy with a two,”
For most returning members, they are looking forward to seeing improvements.
“Last year the judge was really bad and gave us a four. I felt like we deserved a three but I guess it wasn’t as good of a year,” junior Valerie Nierman said. “I’m feeling a two this year.”
Music techniques are improved overtime with practice.
“Our balance is better this year. That was our major issue last year,” Gaddy said.
There are many different groups for ensembles. For orchestra there is an arrangement of ensembles from duets to sextets. For choir, there are trios to octets. For band, there are trios to octets as well.
Many students are involved in more than one event. In fact, some are involved in multiple different areas.
“[I’m in] seven to eight [events],” freshman Ben Tervort said. “I’m in a men’s chorale ensemble, an octet for 9-10 honor choir for choir; a bass solo, a bass duet, and an quartet ensemble for orchestra; percussion ensemble, and a marimba solo for band.”
Hans Heruth is also involved in various events.
“I’m doing a mixed vocal ensemble, a men’s vocal ensemble, a vocal solo, a string quartet, a violin solo, and a piano solo and I’ll be accompanying a few other events,” senior Hans Heruth said.
Solo Ensemble is a very event and is an experience unlike one you would get in a full ensemble.
“It’s much different to be able to do your own solo and add pizzazz where as in a large group you have to blend and match everyone else,” sophomore Berit Nuetzmann said. “It’s not as much to your own interpretation.”
When taking a solo, it can be very intimidating to be on your own in front of a judge. There are a few tips to remember to help make the performances better.
“Sometimes the stress gets to me and I have to remind myself that I’m doing what I love,” Hans Heruth said. “[Once I do that,] all of the stress goes away and the music definitely becomes more enjoyable again.”
Jones agreed.
“Know your music, [have] confidence, successful practice builds confidence, breathe slowly and deeply and focus on the music,” she said.
One of the best pieces of advice is to just -enjoy it.
“Last year I tried too hard and this year I’m just going to have fun with it,” senior Nina Marie Hawkins said.