For students who are very involved in Solo & Ensemble, May 2 was a very big day.

The University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point hosted the State Solo/Ensemble contest for central Wisconsin schools who scored a starred first on their performances last March.

Solo/Ensemble is set up by the Wisconsin School Music Association. Student performances are given ratings rather than rankings. Judges give out ratings of first, second, or third for different levels of difficulty, with Class A being the hardest. According to the WSMA, performances are evaluated on “tone, intonation, technique, interpretation, and rhythm.” 

For Class A events, judges can give out a starred first, which means that event qualifies to perform at State Solo/Ensemble. Judges at that event can nominate the best of the best for a special Certificate of Exemplary Recognition by the WSMA.

Here are the results for Amherst at State Solo/Ensemble. Unfortunately, the complete names of the ensembles are not available on the results page (they print one name and use “et al” to cover extra people), so the times of the events and their even numbers are included for clarity.

8:00 AM Hollie Singer, Amherst HS 1121 Alto Solo: 2
8:08 AM Sascha Gollon/Presley Voss, Amherst HS 1182 SS, SA, AA Duet: 1
8:10 AM Olive Impullitti, Amherst HS 7111 Piano Solo: 2
8:24 AM Presley Voss, Amherst HS 1121 Alto Solo: 1
8:24 AM Hollie Singer, Amherst HS 1311 Music Theater Solo: S/A: 1
8:32 AM Sascha Gollon, Amherst HS 1311 Music Theater Solo: S/A: 1
8:40 AM Alaina Zietlow, Amherst HS 3121 Flute Solo: 1
9:08 AM Aleiah Alleyne, et. al. (Treble Choir) Amherst HS 1918 Misc. Vocal Ens: 1
9:44 AM Sascha G. Amherst HS 1111 Soprano Solo: 2
9:52 AM Ava elgemo,Jackson H. Amherst HS 1882 ST, SB, AT, AB Duet: 1
9:52 AM Michael Glodowski/Ethan Haas, Amherst HS 1282 TT, TB, BB Duet: 1
9:52 AM Cloe Giese/ Naomi B,hm. Amherst HS 1182 SS, SA, AA Duet: 2
10:24 AM Presley Voss, Amherst HS 1311 Music Theater Solo: S/A: 1
10:40 AM Sascha Gollon/Presley Voss, Amherst HS 1382 Music Theater Duet: 1
11:10 AM Michael Glodowski, et. al. Amherst HS 7113 Piano Trio: 1
11:20 AM Cole Jensen, Amherst HS 1211 Tenor Solo: 2
11:44 AM Michael Glodowski, et. al. Amherst HS 4858 Brass Ens: 1
1:00 PM Michael Glodowski, Amherst HS 1221 Baritone or Bass Solo: 1
1:24 PM Natalie Danz, Amherst HS 1121 Alto Solo: 1
2:00 PM Alaina Zietlow, Amherst HS 3111 Piccolo Solo: 1
2:18 PM Amelia Scheunemann/Lexi Martin, Amherst HS 1182 SS, SA, AA Duet: 2
2:52 PM JC Bohman, et. al. (Chamber Choir) Amherst HS 1918 Misc. Vocal Ens: 1
3:32 PM JC Bohman, et. al. (Chamber Guys) Amherst HS 1918 Misc. Vocal Ens: 1

On top of already receiving the highest rating you can get, the Amherst Chamber Choir was nominated for the Exemplary Performance award.

“Solo and Ensemble is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who might be looking to do something to expand their individual musical abilities,” said choir director VurChelle Baumann. “Students are able to choose their own song from a pre-approved list, so it gives them a little more individual freedom than singing in normal choir does, where we all need to sing the same songs together.

“The ensemble aspect also gives students an option of singing a song with a group of friends,” Baumann added. “Although some choir directors require their choral students to participate in Solo/Ensemble, I never believed in that. With the exception of our auditioned ensembles of Chamber Singers and Treble Choir, who I do require, I have always looked at Solo and Ensemble as an opportunity for those who wish to go above and beyond.”

A Senior Standout

Senior Presley Voss is definitely someone that people think of when they think of musical talent at AHS. Here is what she has to say about her experience over the years participating in Solo/ Ensemble.

ND: How many years have you done S&E?
PV: I have been participating in Solo and Ensemble for seven years.

ND: What has your experience been like being involved in S&E?
PV: My experience has been super positive and fun.

ND: How Many events were you in this year? How many of those made state?
PV: This year, I had nine events at district with only seven making state.

ND: How many events have you been in your whole life? How many of those made state?
PV: In high school, I was in 36 events, qualifying for state in 32 of them. In my whole life, I’m pretty sure I’ve been in 49 events.

ND: What advice would you have for someone who is thinking about doing S&E?
PV: Do it. It’s actually super fun even if you don’t have a lot of events. It is cool seeing everyone support each other all day long.