Tea Area students find success in Region II Instrumental solo and ensemble contest

Region II Instrumental Solo and Ensemble contest took place at Augustana College on Monday, Feb. 2. This contest is not required, the students get to choose if they participate or not. Eighty of the 114 high school band students chose to challenge themselves this year by taking at least one thing to contest. Many of them took three or four entries. Their options were taking a solo (35 students opted to do this), or taking an ensemble.  

Ensembles can range anywhere from 2-16 members.  Students picked their own music that was then approved by the director as contest appropriate.  

The students spent anywhere from 2-6 months working on their solos and ensembles.  

“It’s a lot of hard work and dedication and that all paid off,” said Stephanie Wranek. 

Tea Area took 55 total entries (35 solos and 20 ensembles) to contest and every entry earned either a superior or excellent rating from the judges.