Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

2/7/07

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn Band Students Shine at Green River Music Region
Solo and Ensemble Contest

On February 3, Auburn Riverside High School opened its doors to the Green River Music Region Solo and Ensemble Contest. Band students from Kent, Auburn, Tahoma, White River and Enumclaw competed for spots in the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) State Solo and Ensemble Contest to be held on April 27-28 on the Central Washington University campus in Ellensburg.

Fifty-nine band students from Auburn Mountainview High School, 62 band students from Auburn Riverside High School and 40 band students from Auburn High School competed, bringing home top honors and the chance to compete at State.

Auburn Mountainview’s Katie McGaughey began the day performing a Concerto Grosso for Oboe and received a Superior rating. Overall the AMHS band students were awarded 11 Superior Ratings, 26 Excellent Ratings and 4 Good Ratings. The following students, each receiving a Superior Rating, were also awarded State 1st or 2nd alternate status, and are now eligible to go to State should they be selected beyond the primary regional winners:

• Erin Happenny for Flute

• Katie McGaughey for Oboe

• Scotty Amundson for Trombone

• Dhavan Vengadasalam for Trombone

• Sax Quartet with Tyler Kion, Miriah Chalmers, Jonathan Urmenita and Justis Tena

The following AMHS students received a Superior Rating and are headed to State as regional winners:

• Aaron Dunham for Mallets

• Aaron Dunham for Snare Drums

• Mallet Duet with Aaron Dunham and Daniel O’Neil

• Percussion Quintet with Aaron Dunham, Daniel O’Neil, Kahla Wood, Hunter Gabriele and Jericho Urmenita

Auburn Riverside High School finished the day successfully with 9 Superior Ratings, 42 Excellent Ratings and 3 Good Ratings. The following students received superior ratings and also qualified for State:

• Marenka Dobes for Bassoon

• Aimee Pyle for Bassoon

• Brass Quintet with Keith Krotzer, Christine Pyle, Dani Kuehn, Rachael Harris and Mitchell Youngs

• Brass Ensemble with Phillip Raschkow, Kyle Franz, Ali Duncan, Erik Vatne, Alexsey Khmara, Jake Feil, Cheyenne Sherran, Nick Chambers and Justin Beaucage

• Percussion Ensemble with Matt Broch, Matt Kozanitis, Kenny Krotzer, Brandt Parke, Nick Ney and Jordan Runyan

Auburn High School successfully earned 10 Superior Ratings, 10 Excellent Ratings and 1 Good Rating. The following students were awarded State 1st or 2nd alternate status, and are now eligible to go to State should they be selected beyond the primary regional winners:

• Saeward Schillaci for Horn

• Jessica Kerr for Clarinet

• Woodwind Trio with Jordan Dusek, Kristen Lindell and Jessica Kerr

• Trumpet Duet with Derek Schillaci and Jesse Butterfield

The following AHS students are headed to State as regional winners:

• Jesse Butterfield for Trumpet

• Erin Williams for Tenor Sax

• Jordan Dusek for Oboe

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.