Kurt Jahnke-led MLPS musicians in grades 5-12 receive accolades for their achievements
* Three-man team finishes third in Regional Round of Minnesota Music Listening Contest
On Friday, January 23, three Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) musicians, representing the Senior High Band, participated in the Regional round of the Minnesota Music Listening Contest at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The test consists of five rounds of listening, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions covering music since 500 A.D. in a variety of genres.
Approximately 10 teams competed, with the MLHS squad of Samuel Hirsch, Hamlet Tanyavong and Eric-John Niss de Jesus earning third-place, just missing out on a trip to the state competition. Across Minnesota that day, nearly 120 teams from 45 schools took part.
The contest, now in its 28th year, is an independent, not-for-profit competition enriching students’ experiences with classical, ethnic and popular music. In this statewide contest open to all Minnesota high school students in grades 9-12, including public schools, private schools, home schools or music studios, participating students develop skills in active listening and critical analysis by learning to identify composers, cultures, periods and styles. All three-member teams participate in regional competitions throughout the state in January; first- and second-place teams from each region advance to the state competition in February. State competition was held this past Friday, February 6 on the campus of Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
* Four Senior High Band musicians participate in 10th-12th-grade Honor Band
Four musicians from the MLHS Senior High Band – Samuel Hirsch, Hamlet Tanyavong, Lily Kauffman and Brianna Jensen – participated in the 10th-12th-grade Honor Band held at Minnesota State University-Mankato (MSU-Mankato), on Friday, January 30.
Under the direction of Dr. Amy Roisum Foley and Mr. Michael Thursby, the 90-member band from 30 area schools rehearsed during the day, listened to MSU-Mankato ensembles, participated in sectionals and performed as a group in a culminating afternoon concert.
* Six instrumentalists from MLHS Senior High Band part of 9th-10th-grade Honor Band
Six instrumentalists – Liana Blomgren, Samuel Grev, Samuel Hirsch, Brook Sunderman, Karen Soutthivong and Lily Kauffman – recently were a part of a 9th-10th-grade Honor Band in Marshall on Saturday, January 17.
Eighty-five area musicians representing approximately 20 schools participated. They were under the direction of Mr. Michael Peterson.
* Five 6th-8th-grade band students participate in Honor Band
Five Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) band students – Megan McCue, Ryan Blomgren, Amy Bartsch, Joel Salgado and Isaac Grev – participated in the Southwest Minnesota Band Directors Association 6th-8th-grade Honor Band, held on Saturday, January 17, at Marshall Senior High School. Mr. Pat Kunkel led the 110-member band with musicians representing approximately 20 area schools. The instrumentalists rehearsed during the day before performing a group concert in the afternoon.
* Instrumentalists in grades 5-8 participate in Junior High Solo and Ensemble Festival; Kayla Vonk recognized for Excellence
On Friday, January 23, 15 musicians in grades 5-8 – Fletcher Hanson, Paton Buller, Morgan Pietsch, Amy Bartsch, Kayla Vonk, Emma Stade, Victoria Hofmann, Joel Salgado, Isaac Grev, Anika Fast, Noah Rempel, Connie Sengmany, Sierra Perkins, Ben Bartsch, Jasmine Davison and Jessica Anderson – participated in the 5th-8th-grade Solo and Ensemble Festival at Westbrook.
Each student prepared a solo and/or ensemble to perform for a judge. Each received written and verbal comments.
Kayla Vonk earned an Excellence Award (given to the top several performances that each judge heard during the day) for presenting one of the best performances of the day.
* Kurt Jahnke is Mountain Lake Public Schools’ instrumental instructor.