Several of St. Mary’s Academy’s musicians from Marian Instruments, Concert Choir, and Marian Singers participated in the Oregon Music Educators Association District XV Solo Contest on February 23, 2008. Students who participated in the OMEA contest were rated against a standard of excellence and judges provided written evaluations of each student’s performance in short clinic sessions stressing constructive comments. Students who scored exceptionally high will advance to perform at the Oregon School Activities Association OMEA State Solo contest. District XV includes music students from the following high schools: Jesuit HS, Hillsboro HS, Beaverton HS, St. Mary’s Academy, Southridge HS,Valley Catholic HS, Westview HS, Oregon Episopal School, Liberty HS, Sunset HS, Aloha HS, and Century HS.
We are extremely pleased to announce that of the nine female vocalists from District XV schools who placed in the Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano divisions, four were from St. Mary’s Academy! Senior Heather Riggs, Mezzo-Soprano, placed 2nd at the contest, and will be advancing to compete at the state solo contest. Also placing in the Mezzo-Soprano division was Kathleen Conners, junior, with a 4th place showing and selection as 2nd Alternate to advance to state. Sopranos Lindsay Olson and Cecily Reverman, both seniors, placed 4th and 5th in district, and were selected as 1st and 2nd Alternates to advance to State. All four singers received the highest ratings of “I” or “I+” from the judges. Also participating in the contest was senior Eleanor Hooper, soprano, who scored an impressive II+ with her lovely French aria.
Our SMA instrumentalists also did very well at this year’s contest, with two students placing. Lindsay Olson, violin, placed 2nd at district and was selected as 1st Alternate to advance to State. Megan Richardson, sophomore, placed 3rd with her impressive clarinet solo and was selected as 1st Alternate for State. Both students received ratings of I on their performances. Y Hoang, junior, also received an impressive I rating on her piano solo. Bassoonist Emily McFadden, senior, and pianist Elizabeth Harney received high scores from the judges for their solos as well, receiving II+ and II ratings.
We are so proud of the talented musicians at SMA who share their talents with our school. Congratulations to all the musicians who bring the arts alive!
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