Instead of marching in front of fans or performing in front of an audience, a small group of music students will show off their talents in front of a judge April 25 at the State and Solo Ensemble held at Olathe South.

“It’s a chance for them to really focus on themselves, their individual skills, their individual expression,” band director Steve Adams said. “They get to pick the music. They get to decide what to rehearse. The band is fantastic for teaching a lot of skills, but it can’t replace what you can do as an individual in a situation.”

Senior Deborah Hass will be trying to qualify for State in flute solo and ensemble at the Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival at Olathe South April 11.

“My lesson teacher choose the music for me, so that it would challenge me and I could learn it in enough time,” Hass said.

Hass has participated in this event since freshman year. Junior Rachel Ashcraft will also play the flute in the trio with Hass.

“We chose our group,” Ashcraft said. “We have a trio because last year we were in it together and we are the first three chairs of the of the flute section.”

Senior Elizabeth Wesner is the final player in the flute trio.  Besides Shawnee Mission schools, the Blue Valley and Olathe schools also are involved .

“There are literally thousands of students that will be involved’,” Adams said. “The event starts at about 7:30 in the morning. I hope to leave by 6 that night. It’s a big event.”

Band students involved

Soloists:

Rachel Ashcraft , Flute

Debra Hass, flute

Kylie Hans, flute

Rhys Jones, mallets/snare

Olivia Huels, clarinet

Donte Maina, trombone

Kira Setty, obo

Elizabeth Weisner, flute

Brock Brethour, marimba

Hannah Bonifield, Trumpet

Ian Warshaw, Trombone

Ensemble:

Percussion: Cameron Setty, Colson Sargent, Jonathan Huhn, Brock Brethour, Ryan Wagner, Max Doren, Rhys Jones

Clarinet trio: Cienna M., Olivia Huels, Claudia O.

Flute Trio: Kyle Hans, Madiline B., Emily Featherstone

Trumpet Trio: Hannah Bonifield, Ethan Iba, Megan Stollsteimer

Flute Trio: Rachel Ashcraft, Deborah Hass, Elizabeth Weisner

Choir Students:

Solos

Annaleigh Hobbs

Josiah Schools

Rose Smithson

Carlie Johnson

Kaitlin Kesinger

Peter Strobel

Prestin Zuniga

Erin Gately

Gabriel Carter

Teah Nguyen

Victoria Smith

Anna Featherston

Zack Russell

Rachel Field

Niko Horton

Zach Greer

Maddie Stevens

Nicholas Franson

Jennifer Fernandez

Alex Vue

Rileigh Rothlander

Ensemble:

South Chorale Men’s Ensemble

Heritage Men’s Ensemble

Heritage Women’s Ensemble

Varsity Men’s Ensemble

JV Raiders Mixed Ensemble

A Cappella Mixed Ensemble

Women’s Choir Ensemble

Orchestra Students:

Claire Nash, Violin

Jenny Leung, Violin

Jenica Kolbeck, Cello

Desiree Porter, Violin

Ashley Lauver, Viola