Musicians, singers perform at state music festival
Berl Tiskus
Students attending State Musical Festival with Rich Sawyer, Polson Bands Director, left, front row, are Sophia Sisler, Olivia Hewston, Kania Smith, Kaylonna Fischer, Brady Vance. Students in the back row (from left) are Sarah Rausch, Cosmo Garza, Austin Martinez, Eric Matt, Russell Matt, Lydia Dupuis, Tyra Rucker-Huitt, Malysa Lamphere and Sierra Garcia. Not pictured are: Hannah Hobbs, Jordan Broussard, Jordyn Turner, Jake Allen, Marita GrowingThunder, Mia Hobbs, Amber Clarke, Danny DiGiallonardo, Katie Hedeen and Brenna McGuinness.
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KALISPELL — Polson choirs, soloists, bands and ensembles practiced and polished musical pieces before they attended the District Music Festival in Kalispell on April 18.
Those students who received superior ratings from the Kalispell adjudicators advanced to the State Music Festival held in Missoula May 2 and 3.
Some have their favorite adjudicators, such as sophomore Sierra Garcia who said Rob Tapper, University of Montana jazz studies director, is a role model of hers.
“He gives really good advice,” Garcia said.
Student Sophia Sisler agreed, adding that kids can learn a lot at festivals.
Anne Basinski, also a University of Montana professor, is senior Kania Smith’s favorite adjudicator.
The bus to Missoula was full of Polson High School students. The following students all received superior ratings with many excellent ratings - pointing to the excellence of PHS music programs.
Choir superior ratings
Piano solo: Olivia Hewston
Vocal solos: Jake Allen, Jordan Broussard, Lydia Dupuis, Kalyonna Fisher, Marita GrowingThunder, Olivia Hewston, Eric Matt, Sarah Rausch, Sophia Sisler, Jordyn Turner
Vocal Duets: Jordan Broussard/Eric Matt; Russell Matt/Jordyn Turner
Connection Vocal Ensemble: Jake Allen, Jordan Broussard, Amber Clarke, Olivia Hewston, Eric Matt, Russell Matt, Kania Smith, Jordyn Turner
Connection Women’s Ensemble: Jordan Broussard, Amber Clarke, Olivia Hewston, Kania Smith, Jordyn Turner
PHS Concert Choir Womens Ensemble: Ashley Alexander, Riley Berlin, Jordan Broussard, Amber Clarke, Lydia Dupuis, Katie Hedeen, Olivia Hewston, Mia Hobbs, Brenna McGuinness, Sarah Rausch, Sophia Sisler, Kania Smith, Jordyn Turner
Sophomore 6 Ensemble: Amber Clarke, Danny DiGiallonardo, Katie Hedeen, Olivia Hewston, Russell Matt, Sophia Sisler
Excellent Ratings:
Piano solo: Naima Crowl
Choirs: Concert Choir, Mixed Choir, Select Choir.
The Concert Choir sang so beautifully they made the audience cry, according to Dawn Matt, PHS choir director.
Vocal solos: Jayden Almon, Whitney Barr, Riley Berlin, Lydia Bowman, Amber Clarke, Naima Crowl, DeLancey Doty, Cortnie Ellenwood, Whisper Hewankorn, Kim Holland, Emma Kinsey, Madison Licano, Karissa Maxfield,
TabathaJo Niblack, Brandy Pope, Cheyenne Roach, Kania Smith, JaNessa Taylor, Walter Wood
Vocal duets: Lydia Bowman/Naima Crowl; Amber Clarke/Katie Hedeen; Katie Hedeen/Olivia Hewston;
Linde Lambson/Warren Wood
Vocal trio: Riley Berlin/Katie Hedeen/Sophia Sisler
PHS Concert Men’s Ensemble: Jake Allen, Danny DiGiallonardo, Linde Lambson, Eric Matt, Russell Matt, Walter Wood, Warren Wood
Polson High School Band
Band ratings:
Superior large ensembles: Polson High School Symphonic Band, prepared and sight-reading; Polson High School Concert Band, sight-reading
Superior band ensembles: Brady Vance/Russell Matt, snare drum/bass drum duet; Austin Martinez, Tyra Rucker-Huitt, Malysa Lamphere, Cosmo Garza, clarinet quartet; Austin Martinez/Hannah Hobbs, clarinet/flute duet
Superior band solos: Austin Martinez, bass clarinet; Marita GrowingThunder, trombone; Sierra Garcia, trombone; Hannah Hobbs, flute
Excellent large ensembles:
Polson High School Concert Band, prepared
Excellent band solos: Warren Wood, horn solo; Tessa Nunlist, marimba solo
Excellent Band Ensembles: Abby Ayers/Hannah Hobbs/Naima Crowl, flute trio; Abby Ayers/Hannah Hobbs, flute duet; Abby Ayers/Naima Crowl, flute duet; Austin Martinez/Alex Mausshardt/Peyton Dupuis/Hope Unger/Cosmo Garza/Tyra Rucker-Huitt/Malysa Lamphere, clarinet choir; Walter Wood/Warren Wood/Sophia Sisler/Sierra Garcia, brass ensemble; Tessa Nunlist/Russell Matt/Sarah Howell, mallet trio; Morgan Moll, Sierra Garcia, Carson McDaniel, trombone trio
