Four students receive Superior ratings at State Solo/Ensemble Contest

The Perham Music Department had five students compete in the State Solo and Ensemble Contest at Minnesota State-Fergus Falls. The event featured 185 entries with 23 different schools participating in the competition. 

The Yellowjackets had four of the five competitors finish with Superior ratings, which is the highest level awarded at the competition. 

The results are as follows: 

Molly Pearson received a Superior rating on her Tenor Sax solo. Kjirsten Anderson received a Superior on her Soprano solo. Hanna Beck received a Superior on her Soprano solo. Micah Thompson received a Superior rating on his Baritone solo. Hana Leonhard received an Excellent rating on her Mezzo-Soprano solo, missing a Superior by one point. 

Maggie Ragan, Perham Choir Director, said these students have been working on this music since at least January, if not before, and have continued to polish their performances since their initial competition in March. 

“Even though music competitions use objective evaluation rubrics, performers tend to receive a judge’s subjective critique,” Ragan said in an email. “One judge may appreciate an artistic choice, while another may disagree. These are additional challenges our young musicians face when attending performance competitions. We’re very proud of the work they have put in, and their growth and success this year.”