Scripps Middle School Band students participated in 55 events at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District IV Solo and Ensemble Festival on Dec. 6.
This event was hosted at the newly renovated SMS in Lake Orion.
Students performed as a soloist or in a small ensemble for an adjudicator who is an expert on their instrument. They were graded on their tone quality, intonation, rhythm, technique and interpretation.
These grades were then averaged together for an overall rating of I, II, III, VI or V, with I being the highest. Events earning a I or II receive a blue or red medal.
Almost 60 percent of the Scripps Band events earned the highest rating possible.
The following Scripps band members received a First Division rating and blue medal:
Meghan Sulisz, Nich Hartzel, Emily Hubbard, Virginia Lee, Terry Sweeney, Joshua Thomas, David Kullmann, Jacob Keteyian, Paul Hillman, Bobby Jacobs, James Bruin, Tiffany LeDonne, John Upton, Sarah Kielinen, Aram Keteyian, Ricky Graboski, Michael Noonan, Justin Ruddy, Zachary Prochaska, Ian Prochaska, Caty Carlson, Katie Lafever, Brittany Dixon, Megan Colver, Brad Kaan, Christina Thompson, Scott Reynolds, Haley Willick, Cara Rawa, Nina Fancher, Katie Harcourt, Kylee Buchholz, Peter Kanda, Alex Arnold.
Students earning a Second Division rating and a red medal are: Weston Wittry, Alex Stoner, Kyle-Erik Larson, Jacob Walker, Matt Carter, Michael Trainer, John Marcoux, Aram Keteyian, Nathan Matheny, Chris Ferguson, Matt Mulka, RJ Hamilton, Thomas, Josh Groen, John Potocki, Mulka, Lafever, Laura Giguere, Katie Philips, Katie Hege, Brad Kaan, Rebeccah Rathaus, Brittany Dixon, Mat Cross, Keaton Jander, Devin Cudnohufsky, Ricky Avery and Stoner.
Also participating in the festival were Trisha Dalrymple, Jen McNairnie, Hayden Moore and Aidan Killeen.
The students are seventh or eighth grade members of the Scripps Cadet Band and Concert Wind. They are taught by instrumental music teacher Eric Crimmins.