Last weekend, many band members participated in a solo and ensemble competition, which is where an individual or a small group has the opportunity to play for a judge and receive comments and a rating on a scale of 1-5, with a 1st division being the best.  

At last year’s solo and ensemble competition, the band received a total of 76 superior medals and this year stepped up with 50 more.

“A total of 63 students earned a 1st division medal,” band director Jose Ochoa said. “In total we earned 126 Superior medals.” 

Solos are a lot harder to prepare than what they normally do for competition, so this gives each student the opportunity to learn challenging music and improve as a musician, while also receiving feedback on the performance. 

“Three large ensembles (Woodwind Choir, Brass Choir, Jazz Ensemble), two percussion ensembles, and four small ensembles [competed at solo and ensemble,]” Ochoa said. 

Most participate in this contest because it puts the focus on each individual student. It helps make each student better due to all of the hard work invested in each competing event, regardless of what rating they receive. It also allows the student to receive positive feedback and learn what areas they need to improve.  

“Overall, it improves each individual participating in the competition, therefore making us as a group stronger,” Ochoa said.