On April 1, the Regional solos and ensembles contest was hosted at Butler Community College. Ten of the solos and ensembles qualified for State, which will be held at Kansas Wesleyan University April 29. Three groups from the band performed and seven from the choir. 

“I had one memory slip on the first song, but after that I had fun and did really well,” freshman Jase Downey said. “I wish that first song would have gone a bit smoother and gone all the way through without having to spot it, and the judges feedback was really good.”

Former music teacher Ellen Kerr came in the weeks leading up to regionals to help students prepare. Kerr also accompanied the vocal soloists and Cardinalaires that day. 

“It was nice to have Mrs. Kerr to work with everyone and accompany them.  It’s also a really good opportunity to hear other groups perform,” band and vocal music teacher Stephanie Bodley said. “I thought the feedback was really good; the comments were justified and positive.”

Seniors Blake Davis and Hayley Grimm, junior Hayden Dalbom, sophomore Darrek Bishop and freshman Ashton Stull performed “The Calypso Kid.” Their mixed instrumental ensemble received a I rating.  

“[Our ensemble] was decent. We were all surprised when we got a I rating and are going to state,” Bishop said. “It was really cool, different groups of kids from different schools coming to play music that they spent a lot of time and effort on. And it was certainly entertaining at certain parts.”