On Saturday, April 2, the Regional Music Festival was held at Butler Community College. Twelve students from Conway Springs made the early journey for a multitude of performances, including big group performances, a quartet, and a few solo performances. Music teacher Stephanie Bodley directed them and Ellen Kerr accompanied most of the music pieces played that day. 

Freshman James Hancock was one of the vocal soloists who performed at the contest, as well as in the Cardinalaires ensemble and the mixed choir ensemble. He got a I on his solo. 

“[I feel] I did pretty good especially since I learned everything in a couple of days,” Hancock said. “I got all of my words right, but I missed a few vocal patterns. I think I earned the I.”

Hancock wasn’t the only one to receive a I that day. Junior Hannah Zoglmann and sophomore Mya Scott also received a I on their vocal solos. A quartet consisting of all of the seniors that participate in band received a I on their piece. Senior Kenzie Wenke also received a I on her saxophone solo. Everyone who received a I will be going to the State contest on April 30. 

“I think we did pretty good just because we worked really hard on it,” Wenke said. “Overall, we did really good.”

Unfortunately, not everyone will be participating at State. The Cardinalaires ensemble received a II on their piece “Cantate Domino.” Senior Robin Heimerman received a II on her saxophone solo. The mixed choir ensemble received a IV on their piece “Sinner Man” though many are not happy about this rating and deem it unfair. The group started the song, but then stopped after a few notes because they thought the judge wasn’t ready. The judge then let them finish the song but gave the group the low score.

“It felt rigged but it wasn’t rigged. He was just in a crabby mood,” Heimerman said.