When people work hard for something, they should expect to be acknowledged. The choir, band, and orchestra students all progressed tremendously this year, and came back from state with excellent rewards. 

   Students performed either a solo or as a small ensemble in front of judges, and could be placed in three different levels; gold, silver, or bronze.       

   The state festival was held at The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, on April 26. 

   For orchestra, choir, and band, students who scored an exemplary or a gold rating at the district solo and small ensemble festival have the opportunity to go to the state solo and small ensemble festival. Out of everyone who placed, the orchestra was awarded with three golds, two silvers, and one bronze. 

   “The amount of work it took to earn these ratings was months of preparation, including a district competition that took place last March. Students practiced and rehearsed their music for hours upon hours. Some had multiple events,” orchestra director Rosanna Honeycutt said. 

   With all the stress of preparing for a state event, there is always fun that comes along with it. 

   “I liked being able to travel with my friends and getting the chance to receive quality feedback on my performances,” sophomore Roman Bunn said. 

   During the choir side of the event, they also had both solo and small ensemble performances. Everyone in the Chamber Choir had made it, and a few in the Concert Choir as well. 

“We got a total of [around] 39 golds and 27 silvers,” senior Ryan Wolf said. 

   A lot of time and effort went into being able to place in this event. 

   “We prepare for this event starting in December, and every couple of days a different person sees the private vocal teacher that the school has hired to help us with solos. We continue practicing for months, then we can go to other people’s houses and practice after school or on the weekends. We usually spend at least a total of 40 hours in school, maybe more if we include at home practice,” Wolf said. 

   Starting from December, the choir has progressed to have fun and compete in the event. It’s not all about winning the gold. 

   “Even though some people didn’t get gold, everyone had so much fun,” Wolf said.  

   Last but not least, out of 50 students that competed in the band, they took home 21 golds, 27 silvers, and two bronze. As everyone prepares in different ways, one thing seems common and clear; practice makes perfect. 

   “The students worked hard to achieve their ratings. They put in hours of practice on their own, and spent some time working with their accompanist or members of their small ensemble,” Band Director, Jeffery Payne said.

  On a step by step basis, preparation started six months before state. 

   “The hardest part about the preparation is not getting burnt out on the music,” sophomore Beck Brashers said. 

   Having a competition as big as state is scary but is always fun later on. 

   “It’s a very stressful environment and I’ve never been more nervous in my life than waiting to see if I got a call back, it’s all fun to talk about now, but then it was so scary. That’s also what makes it the best part,” Brashers said.