NEW PALESTINE — Young Hancock County musicians are heading to a state event after playing well in New Palestine, where young performers recently gathered from across the region.
The Indiana State School Music Association held solo and ensemble events across Indiana on Feb. 1, including at New Palestine Intermediate School.
Greenfield-Central Schools had 200 entries in the event featuring sixth- through 12th-graders playing strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
G-C left the event with 145 gold ratings and 55 silver ratings. Many will go on to compete in the state solo and ensemble event on Feb. 29 at North Central High School in Indianapolis.
Students are able to use their time in band classes after winter break to prepare for their solo and ensemble performances, said Jeremy Turner, performing arts secretary at Greenfield-Central High School.
“It’s mostly a lot of kids taking their own responsibility and ownership in how they prepare,” he added.
Turner said he’s proud of the students who participated.
“We’re always really excited this time of year, mostly because of the personal responsibility that the kids take… It’s cool watching their progression over the month and a half or so.”
Maria Bond, director of community relations for Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation, told the Daily Reporter in an email that the corporation had 53 entries that resulted in 43 gold ratings, nine silver ratings and one bronze rating.
Three ensembles and 16 solos from Mt. Vernon qualified for ISSMA’s state event at the end of the month, Bond added.
New Palestine Bands had 55 entries across grades seven through 12, according to information provided by Jon Carney, director of bands at New Palestine High School. Of those, 42 received gold ratings. Eighteen of the entries were at the Group 1 level, which requires students to select from a list of advanced high school and collegiate audition level literature based on their instrument. That level also allows students to qualify for the statewide event on Feb. 29. Fourteen of the Group 1 level entries qualified for the statewide event, including two entries that received perfect scores.
Eastern Hancock High School received 25 gold ratings. Randy Adams, the school’s band director, told the Daily Reporter in an email that both small percussion groups attained a gold in the highest division, “Group 1.”
The school’s full percussion ensemble received a gold/Group 1 playing probably the most difficult piece he’s ever handed a high school group, Adams continued.
All three of the groups move to the state solo and ensemble event on Feb. 29, he added.
According to ISSMA’s website, New Palestine Intermediate School also hosted students from Shelby Eastern Schools, Northwestern Shelby County Schools and all schools in Lawrence and Warren townships. It was one of 21 venues that were hosts to solo and ensemble events on Feb. 1.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, New Palestine Intermediate School and other venues across the state will once again host young musicians vying for ISSMA accolades, this time for vocal and piano solo and ensembles.
