Saturday, March 23rd over fifty instrumentalists descended upon Grain Valley High School to perform for adjudication at District solo and small ensemble contest. Oak Grove sent forty-nine events broken into 33 solos and sixteen ensembles. With record-breaking results, Oak Grove scored division ‘I’ ratings for 17 events which will allow 31 students to perform at the State level on April 25th! “I’m impressed with our students’ results today!” Stated Director Beth Jinkins. “We had a late start, several snow days, and very critical judges. For Oak Grove to be represented this well at the State level is a true testament to the level of dedication and musicality that our students have.” Added Jinkins. Not only did Oak Grove have one of the highest success rates among all bands at this festival, they also had an incredibly high percentage of success among individual performers.

Students who received the highest rating possible were: Anna Lee vibraphone solo; Zach Cox trombone solo; Katie Kim marimba solo; Chelsea Jackson flute solo; Emily Stewart alto saxophone solo; TJ Wittman tuba solo; Trevor Dunn baritone solo; and Jacob Engelhard timpani solo. The Oak Grove band program was also award superior ‘I’ ratings for nine small ensembles. The ensembles and their members were: Baritone Trio with Trevor Dunn, Kaleb Easter and Caleb Davis; Trombone trio with Jacob Fallman, Trevor Dunn and Zach Cox; Mixed woodwind trio with Marissa Nebgen, Aimee Stiegemeyer and Chelsea Jackson; Clarinet trio with Marissa Nebgen, Sequoia Masten and Alyssa Groseclose; Flute trio with Becca Mendenhall, Chandler Minnis and Diana Lawson; Percussion trio with Madison Letzig, Anna Lee and Josh Denham; Saxophone sextet with Brooke Montgomery, Markus Stone, Drew Phillips, Tanner Johnson, Brody Nieweg & Emily Stewart; Trombone quartet with Jacob Fallman, Collin Vasko, Christopher Macrander and Zach Cox; and Trumpet trio with Josh Stanley, Tony Phillips and Daniel Drury.

Thirteen events were awarded an excellent division ‘II’ rating. Soloists in this category include Marissa Nebgen clarinet solo; Jacob Fallman trombone solo; Trey Vinke snare solo; Christopher Macrander trombone solo; Ali Vinke flute solo; Erik Merry bass clarinet solo; Aaron Carpenter French horn solo; Adam Jenkins trumpet solo; Aubrie Rainbolt clarinet solo; Josh Stanley trumpet solo; Daniel Drury trumpet solo and Collin Vasko trombone solo. One ensemble received an excellent division ‘II’ rating with Kara Witt, Hunter Berry and Jessi Cathey performing a percussion trio.