Submitted by VHS Music Director
Fifteen VHS musicians traveled to the ASAA State Solo and Ensemble Festival on May 8-9th at the UAA Fine Arts Building. These students qualified for the festival by earning a superior rating at the Aurora Music Festival in April. A superior rating indicates that the student was technically very well prepared, often memorized, and applies musicality in their presentation. Most five-minute solos or ensembles represent many hours of individual or group practice and focused attention to detail. At the State festival, students get their 10 minutes with the professional musician adjudicator, but also may listen to students from all across Alaska as they perform and are critiqued.
On Friday, Valdez had five performances. The Band students performed the large percussion ensemble, “Serengeti”, pulling off a fun-loving and technically well-managed musical performance, earning an excellent rating from the judges, just one point off from a superior. Paxson, Miquela, Aysiri, Ava, Erik, James, Joshua, David, Cody, Oliver, Nevaeh, Jenna, and Haylee all worked together like a team.
Senior, Joshua Sims, also earned just one point under a superior rating on his solid and lilting bass clarinet solo, “A Day In Venice.”
Haylee Tippetts and Aysiri Shiujones each played a violin solo. Both delivered strong performances with “Mosquito Dance” and a Taiwanese folk song, respectively. Erik accompanied Haylee and Aysiri was accompanied by her mother, Cammie Hsu.
The Jazz Combo of Oliver, James, Gray, Jackson, Haylee, Cody, and Erik played a mellow Chick Corea tune, “Crystal Silence.” They had a mature jazz-style presentation that impressed the judges and were rewarded with a superior rating. Watch for this combo about town this summer!
At the Command Performance Concert on Friday at East High School, the Valdez team received the ASAA Academic Award for having a combined GPA of 3.91 among the students who take at least four classes at VHS: Gray, Jackson, Haylee, Erik, Aysiri, Jenna, Paxson, Miquela, Ava, James, and Oliver. Impressive!
Seniors receive the Academic Award on stage at East High School Friday night.
Academic Award winners
On Saturday James Humphrey graced the audience with a captivating alto sax solo which earned him a superior rating and a 2nd place Command from the judges with comments like, “You are already very good, so these comments are picky,” and “Your tone is masterfully done.” James was accompanied by Erik Vincent.
Erik Vincent put on his military persona and owned the stage with his musical theater vocal solo, “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from Pirates of Penzance. The judges coached his theatrics, praised his musical interpretation and technique. He won a superior rating.
The Buccaneer Barbershop– Cody Miller, James Humphrey, Oliver Ownbey, and Erik Vincent–thrilled the audience with another peak performance of “Ebb Tide” from the UAA stage. They had just the right amount of cool harmonies and smooth vocals and came away with an excellent rating.
James and Command Performance announcement
Making music with anything they can find
In the free midday on Friday, the group took time to enjoy the break from rain, renting bikes and cruising the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The brave bikers and walkers enjoyed 5 miles of coastal views and a moose encounter.
Coastal Trail
The Buccaneer musicians were strong and featured several peak performances over the weekend–excited to return with the Academic Award, and a Command Runner-Up. We look back on a rewarding season with many accomplishments and opportunities to grow as musicians, team members, and young adults, as well as some inspiration for future goals. Best wishes seniors– Erik, Gray, Oliver, James, and Joshua!
Thank you, Valdez City Schools, for providing our travel to State!