On Saturday, members of the BVNW band participated in the Kansas High School Activities Association Regional Solo and Small Ensemble festival at Blue Valley HS. There were 12 soloists and three small ensembles that will be going to Emporia on April 26 to compete at the state level.

“We have students every year that participate and go on to state; this is good for those kids,” band director John Selzer said. “I always think of it in the terms of who it is rather than how many.”

According to Selzer, students are allowed to participate in the Regional Solo and Small Ensemble Festival by bringing in a piece of music written for their instrument and a piano accompaniment. They can either chose to compete as a soloist or in a small ensemble. In any case, they prepare their music for one month and on the day of the event; they play in front of a judge. The judge gives them a rating and writes comments about their work. If they get a one rating, then that student is eligible to go on to the state level and do it again at state.

“These are all student driven practice sessions; these are not practice sessions that we drive,” Selzer said. “That is what is so unique and wonderful about this festival.”

Junior Lauren Nordell- Morris said that she and her small clarinet ensemble practiced their music either at someone’s house, before or after school, or on their own time. Some challenges they faced as a group was finding a time that they could work together on their piece of music. It all worked out in their favor, however.

“I was personally thrilled when I heard we received a 1 rating,” Nordell- Morris said. “It was humbling to know that with all our hard work came success.”

According to Selzer, the band has grown a lot in not only their technical but rather their musical skills.

“It is growing as a musician, which is an artist, that you not only can’t quantify, but it is hard to even describe,” Selzer said. “To hear students play so passionately is where the biggest growth has taken place. It’s what they are capable of and that they are capable of expressing it through a musical instrument is sensational.”

Selzer and Nordell- Morris both agreed that they are excited to compete in Emporia.

“I expect that on April 26 we will have lots of surprises, good and bad probably,” Selzer said. “That is what usually happens, we will have some kids who are really excited about the rating they got, and some who are disappointed in they rating they got. But, that is kind of why you do it, to put yourself out there and take a chance. The kids that have chosen to do this earn a lot of respect from me.”

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The following BVNW band students received a “I (one)-Superior” rating and are now eligible to participate at the state level in Emporia on April 26:

Hartman Clarinet Choir-Peter Hartman, Kate Hartman, Alec Mitchell, Lauren Nordell-Morris, Anna Taylor, Claire Campbell, Tess Sharpe

Stower Brass Quintet-Zac Stower, Justin Henry, Clark Elford, Branden Rosenthal, Kit Bradley

Gram Percussion Trio-Sophie Gram, Camden Hatley, Madeline Connor

Camden Hatley, percussion

Justin Henry, trumpet

Clark Elford, tuba

Connor Gould, trumpet

Logan Crapser, alto sax

Peter Hartman, clarinet

Gabi Rosenwald, flute

Kerri Ahn, flute

Rachel Bailey, flute

Surabhi Khachar, flute

Stuart Zizzo, tenor sax

Alec Mitchell, clarinet

The following students received a “II (two)-Excellent” rating:

Roberts Flute Quartet-Riley Roberts, Gabi Rosenwald, Rachel Bailey, Sarah Holder

Ashley Little, flute

Lauren Muth, flute

Regan Muth, clarinet

Brady Calvert, percussion

Jack Lapin, percussion

Sophie Gram, percussion

Paul Georgoulis, bassoon

Muth Clarinet Trio-Regan Muth, Kait Flannagan, Piper Wiley

Nate Hoffman, horn

Eric Foerster, trumpet

Alec Feather, horn

Kate Hartman, clarinet

Allison Griffin, flute

Benjamin Hawkins, clarinet

Maggie Smith, flute

Riley Roberts, flute

Sarah Holder, flute

Kait Flannagan, flute