APRIL 21, 2010 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - PAGE 17
Unity students compete at music contests LUCK/GRANTSBURG – Music festival season has arrived for area band and choir students. Unity students have been very busy since January with practice and rehearsals in the pursuit of a “starred first” which will allow them to proceed from the local level to the state music competition on May 1 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus. The music contests are a part of the Wisconsin School Music Association programs which involve more than 220,000 students each year. The purpose of WSMA is to “challenge youth to achieve excellence through music.” The mission of WSMA is “to provide activities that will encourage lifelong involvement in music.” Over 225 district festivals are held each year involving more participants than any other school activity in the state. Students who earn a starred first rating in Class A (the most difficult music) in a district festival continue on to the highest level of competition. Luck High School hosted the swing/jazz competitions on Tuesday evening, March 23. The music from the groups was energetic and well done. Unity’s jazz combo and the jazz band are both continuing on to state competition. Thursday, March 25, found Unity instrumental and vocal students departing for Grantsburg High School as early as 7 a.m. They were accompanied by directors Dana Paulsen and Adam Bever. Lois Hemingway was accompanist for many soloists. The last buses returned by 5 p.m.; after a full day of the young adults displaying their talents for the judges, all the students had achieved, some had reached their goal this year. Students from Grantsburg, St. Croix Falls, Luck, Frederic and Osceola, along with those from Unity, participated at the district
The instrumentalists (solo/group) are shown (in no particular order): Maddie Anderson(*), Steven Acosta, Shay Bader, Scott Bever, Amanda Brunotte, Brittney Bublitz(*), Tyler Bublitz, Alex Davison, Nate Dorrance(*), Anna Ebensperger, Katherine Ebensperger(*), Brooke Gillespie, Jessica Goltz, Tim Hallin, Taylor Heathman, Kasey Heimstead, April Johnson, Kayla Johnson(*), Kayla Johnson, Megan Jones, Michelle Jorgensen, Laura Krueger(*), Steven Krueger, Brittany Kruse, Eric Kuske, Jessica Kutina, Jenelle Larsen, Brandi Larson, Alec Larson, Anna Luepke, Connor MacKinnon, Kaitlyn MacKinnon, Dawn Michaelson, Jake Monahan(*), Justin Mooney, Justin Moore, Mickey Muller, Shay Nelson, Hailey Olson, Kaylynn Olson, Marcus Paukstad, Ethan St. Amand, Emily Stelling, Cassie Sturgul, Sam Tonnar, Brady Turner, Brittney Thomfhorda, Megan Volgren, Naomi Williamson, Ben Zahler, Kathryn Zahler and Kaina Zygowicz. – Photos submitted competition. Unity instrumentalists had 39 entries (solo/duets/ensembles) with 20 firsts and six students going on to state competition in very tough judging. Unity vocalists had 34 entries with 10 students going on to the UW-Eau Claire competition. Participants from Unity High School represented the school by giving their best performances in a group or solo ap-
Jazz combo students will be continuing on to state. Shown are (in no particular order) Maddie Anderson, Brittney Bublitz, Tyier Bublitz, Nathan Dorrance, Katherine Ebensperger, Tim Hallin, Dylan Hendricks and Jake Monahan.
pearance of up to eight minutes in length. An adjudicator critiqued and worked with each, building knowledge of musical techniques. The star (*) repre-
sents continuing on to state competition on May 1. All participants are to be congratulated for their efforts. - submitted by Kay Dorrance
The vocalists (solo/group) are shown (in no particular order): Steven Acosta, Jade Baerg, Emily Bethke, Amanda Brunotte(*), Brittney Bublitz(*), Tyler Bublitz(*), Anna Ebensperger, Brady Flaherty(*), Brooke Gillespie(*), Kaitlyn Johnson(*), Kayla Johnson, Kayla Johnson(*), Megan Jones, Ross Kitson, Amanda Koethe(*), Josh Kreft(*), Joe Larsen, Jennelle Larsen, Jessica Larson, Anna Luepke, Taylor Matteson(*), Renee McKenzie, Hannah McMeekin, Liberty Merrill, Alicia Milander, Paris Miller, Jake Monahan(*), Jade Rau, Naomi Williamson, Brittany Petznik and Kaina Zygowicz.
The jazz band members will be continuing on to state competion. Shown are (in no particular order): Maddie Anderson, Sara Bader, Brittney Bublitz, Tyler Bublitz, Beau Davison, Nathan Dorrance, Katherine Ebensperger, Jessica Golt, /Kayla Johnson, Anthony Kreft, Josh Kreft, Laura Krueger, Steven Krueger, Tim Hallin, Dylan Hendricks, Dawn Michaelson, Justin Moore, Mickey Muller, Jake Monahan, Ethan St. Amand, Sarah Sarber, Emily Stelling, Naomi Williamson and Ben Zahler.
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