LSHS Instrumentalists Take Home 107 Superior Medals!

Music filled the classrooms and halls of Lakeville South High School on Saturday, February 23rd. Over 1000 musicians from 15 different high schools performed solos, small ensemble pieces or with jazz ensembles, which were adjudicated by 40 different judges. Lakeville South was well represented with approximately 140 instrumentalists performing throughout the day. In mid-December all LSHS instrumentalists selected a solo or small ensemble piece to rehearse and perform at the Solo and Ensemble Contest. Some students started preparing their pieces early in the school year. Their preparation paid off as 107 superior medals and 100 excellent certificates were earned (the top two ratings). Mr. Bieniek is extremely proud of the work so many kids put in to be successful; for 9th graders it was a new experience and one to build upon for the future and for many upperclassmen it was an opportunity to be adjudicated on a piece that will be used to compete for scholarship dollars as they head to college. Solo and Ensemble preparation and performance is an integral part of music education as it is where students must show what they know, there is no hiding behind anyone else. It can be a nerve-racking experience for some, but a great life lesson in preparing a product alone or with a group in which everyone depends on each other’s success.