Three talented members of the Morenci band traveled to Chelsea, Michigan, to compete in the 2025 MSBOA High School State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Each student showcased their musical skills before a judge and received ratings based on their performance, with scores ranging from Division One (the highest) to Division Five.
Two ninth-grade soloists took the stage with impressive performances. Sean Sawyer performed a tenor saxophone solo, earning a Division Two rating and a red medal. Harrison Sarnac performed a French horn solo and achieved a Division One rating, receiving a blue medal for his outstanding performance.
Representing Morenci in the Proficiency I category, 11th grader Katelyn Ruse faced a rigorous evaluation. In addition to performing a French horn solo, she was required to demonstrate five scales from a set list of nine and complete a challenging sight-reading portion, where she had only 60 seconds to study and perform a brand-new piece of music. Katelyn scored 82 out of 100 points, earning a Division Two rating and a red medal for her exceptional effort.
Congratulations to all three musicians for their dedication and hard work! Not only did they perform exceptionally well, but they also represented Morenci with class and pride.