Moses Lake music students prepare for state

Competition brings top talent

MOSES LAKE — Four band students and one choir student from Moses lake High School are attending a state music competition in April after winning at the regional level.

The students were division winners at the North Central Washington Music Educators Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival Jan. 27 and Feb. 3. They qualify for participation at a state competition in Ellensburg from April 27 through April 28, where they compete with winners from 21 regions.

Other students were selected as alternates to regional winners.

"I'm proud of them," Band Director Dan Beich said. "I think they did a great job."

One band student takes private lessons. Making it to state is difficult without private lessons, Beich said.

He noted the students take their own initiative practicing and participating in the competition.

Sophomore Duke Sullivan, 16, competed in state last year and won this year with two instruments. Sullivan is the division winner in alto saxophone and baritone saxophone.

He decided to play the same songs he played in the regional contest in the state competition, with some refinement of his technique.

"I have to work a little harder to get it perfect," Sullivan said.

Junior Elaina Duvall, 17, is the division winner for trumpet. In the past Duvall won alternate as part of a trumpet quartet. She said the biggest challenge is getting over her nervousness in competing at the state level.

Junior Alec Robillard, 16, is among four students in a trumpet quartet going to state.

The group meets regularly to play in addition to practicing for the competition.

"We have a whole bunch of different songs that we play," Robillard said.

For the state competition, the students named their quartet, "The Fantastic Four."

The division winner for bass clarinet is Jeff Ames.

Eleven choir students participated in the regional competition.

"All performed well and received excellent or superior scores in their respective categories," Choral Director David Holloway said.

Scoring is on a scale of one through five. A superior score is a one, and an excellent score is a two.

Senior Michael Carpenter is division winner for baritone. Holloway said Carpenter won first alternate two years ago in the same category. He participated in choir all four years of high school.

"He has also received numerous awards from the (high school) choral department including the Director's Award and Outstanding Musician Award as a freshman, and outstanding musician as a sophomore," Holloway said. "This will be his first time going to (the) state contest."

Several students snagged spots as first or second alternates. Alternates go to state if the regional winner in their category is unable to attend.

Senior Sarah Sherman is the choir's only alternate. Sherman won first alternate in the mezzo soprano category. Holloway said the student is in her first year of choir.

Sophomore Samantha Byam, 15, is second alternate for clarinet. Byam said she decided to participate in the competition at the suggestion of friends.

"I didn't think I was going to do that great at all," she said.

Senior Haley Johnson, 17, is part of a large brass quintet that made first alternate for the competition. They named their group, "Nice Brass."

"I don't wish (the division winners) ill, but I want to go," Johnson said. "It would be fun."

Beich said the competition benefited all 44 soloists and groups from Moses Lake High School and Chief Moses Middle School bands who participated in the contest. He noted more students participated this year than participated in at least the past six years.

"Every time a student (participates) they become a better musician," he said.