On April 18, the musicians of North Tama will be heading to Don Bosco High School in Gilbertville to showcase their many musical talents. The Regional Solo and Ensemble Contest is an annual competition in which student singers and instrumentalists from all across eastern Iowa come to be judged on prepared pieces of music. With a goal of top scores in mind, students from North Tama will be competing as duos, soloists, and small groups. One of the duos from North Tama will be comprised of seniors Sarah Schrier and Brooke Johnson. These two will be playing their flutes for the competition. Sisters Shaylynn and Rebekah Williams, a junior and freshman respectively, will also be playing a duet. Shaylynn will be playing her flute and Rebekah her clarinet. When asked about the duet, Shaylynn responded, I like being able to perform a duet with my sister. It’s taken a lot of work, but I’m sure it will be worth it in the end. Also, senior Sara Stoakes and junior Amanda Hoeg shall be singing a duet at contest. Single students have also prepared songs for the contest. Some have instrumental solos, others have vocal, and some even have both. When asked about his vocal solo, sophomore Jon Koob said, Singing a solo is like raising a child, it takes time and patience. Fellow sophomore Stephany Brown is also taking a solo to contest, one on her clarinet. When she was asked about the instrumental solo, Stephany said, It has been hard, but the more practice I get the better I get. Many small groups are also preparing for the big event. Representing the instrumentalists will be the brass choir, woodwind choir, upper- and lower- classmen percussion groups, sax quartet, and clarinet quartet.

After being questioned about the woodwind quartet, junior Kelsey Upah responded by saying, “Our piece, Heather, is different and has many musical qualities to it. We are still practicing, but it gets better each time. It’s a type of music I’ve never played before and I’m excited to get rated at contest.”

As one of the members of the upper-classmen percussion group, junior Sean Dengler has been working hard with his peers to prepare the required music. I like the piece we’re doing because it has many different parts and I get to play the crash cymbals, which I’m excited about. The band teacher, Miss Kayla Carlson, has been helping the students to learn each song and has also learned many piano parts in order to play with them in their instrumental solos.The majority of the band is participating and that is exciting. I hope everyone goes in and does their best, said Miss Carlson.

Vocal groups have also been clocking in the hours for their performances on Saturday. A double mixed quartet and a girls’ triple trio will be going to Don Bosco to be judged. Sophomore Erin Herink, as a member of the triple trio, said, “I love being involved in chorus activities because it is rewarding.” The mixed quartet met several times this week at the early time of 8:10, a clear show of their dedication. Senior member Alex Kubik had this to say, I like being able to sing with a small group where there are so many different pitches. Chorus teacher Mr. Terry Shay has been spending more of his free time than normal helping the students to prepare for contest. In his words, “Solo and ensemble contest is a chance for a student to demonstrate his or her talent and be judged on a variety of criteria. I enjoy spending the extra time with students helping them get ready. It’s nice to watch students put in extra effort and time into performing well.” On April 18, students from North Tama will be competing as duos, soloists, and small groups at the Regional Solo and Ensemble Contest in Gilbertville. Sophomore Brittany Young described the aspirations of the involved students well when she said, We get as much practice time as we can because we want to do well. The performers will know their results soon after they perform, and later will receive their judge’s comments.