Music students compete at state festival
From left, Lane Digiando, Tyler Brown, Perri Jasper, Caelen Pittsley, Janet Best, Addi Martin, Juliette Evans, Violet Blanco, Trina Azure, and Lily Jasper. Not pictured are Kynzie Pierce, Cayden Churchwell, and Abby Wheeler. (Debbie Merrill photo)
The Superior High School music program has swelled in size and achievements since music teacher Debbie Merrill took over a few years ago.
She had 13 kids make it to the state festival in Great Falls last weekend. To qualify for state competition, students compete at the district level and for those that receive superior ratings, they are invited to the next level.
“We went to Great Falls overnight and they spent two days performing for judges. Several received Superior ratings at the state level and the others received Excellent ratings,” she boasted. \“These kids work on their music for months on their own and several performed in more than one ensemble. They performed solos, duets, trios and quartets. One student, Violet Blanco, made it to state in both vocal and instrumental competition, which is really extraordinary.”
Merrill continued with more accolades.
“Another student, Abby Wheeler, competed on three different instruments. Oboe, piano and English horn. Caelen Pittsley, a vocalist, received superior ratings at the state level in both of his categories; a solo and a duet. Addi Martin also received superior ratings in two categories at the state level with a saxophone solo and a saxophone quartet. And then Lily Jasper was our first ever 8th grader to compete and make it to state at the high school level music competition.”