By Tim Leeds
Several Havre High School students earned superior ratings at the State Music Festival held May 4-5 in Missoula.
The students who received a superior rating in one or more event at the district festival in Cut Bank qualified to perform in the state adjudicated festival.
"State is a little tougher experience, has a little higher standards than at the district festival, as it should be," Ross Coons, band director at Havre High said. "The kids did real well. It wasn't easy to get a superior at state."
Coons said he and Frank Payn, choir director at the high school, were very proud of their students at the state festival.
Erika Larson, Jennifer Shakal and Alicia Rundquist each received a superior in flute solo at the festival; Colby Smith in alto saxophone; Jennifer Shakel and Erika Larson in flute duet; Matt Welch in piano; Sam Sawyer, Nick Toth and Christy Franson in trumpet trio; the 9 Alive ensemble received a superior; Belles Voix and Hi-Liters each received a superior.
Other students and groups qualifying in different events to participate in the festival were Alicia Rundquist and Carrie Flatau, piano; Joel Benson, trumpet; Carrie Flatau, timpani; Ross Coons, xylophone; Alicia Rundquist, Joel Benson and Carrie Flatau, vocal solo; Kelly Lamb, alto saxophone; Casey Arensmeyer, tuba solo; Matt Welch and Gwen Porter, euphonium; Will Thackeray and Matt Kuka, trombone; Chelise Yeats, clarinet; Jen Williams and Brittany Knickerbocker, sax duet; Matt Welch and Will Thackeray, brass duet; David Chambers, horn solo; Travis Solberg, percussion; Jen Beckstead, tuba and horn solos; Brassamajiggy; Hans Williams, vocal solo; The Jazz Band Mosquitos-Male Vocal Quartet.
Representatives of the group said they want to say a very special "thank you" to Mary Stevens, Brooke Donovan and Jan Wiberg for accompanying the students to the district and state festivals.
