PAHS band and choir earn top ratings at contest

By Jennifer E. Johnson

The choir and band from Paynesville Area High School earned top marks at a large group competition on Tuesday, April 15.

Both the mixed and treble choirs, as well as the PAHS band, earned the highest ratings awarded.

The entire band, comprised of students in grades 9-12, participated along with two choirs at the large group competition held at the ACGC High School last week.

The 36-member treble choir consists of ninth and tenth grade girls, while the 34-member mixed choir consists of junior and senior girls, two sophomore girls, and ninth grade through senior boys.

Choir director Cheryl Bungum said she was very impressed with the focus both choirs had. "They looked and acted professionally," said Bungum, "and because of that they sang well."

Ken Vork, PAHS band director, said he was also very pleased with the performance of the band.

Judges in each section, one for band and one for choir, gave each of the groups verbal and written comments as well as an overall rating.

Students from nine other high schools took part in the competition: ACGC, Annandale, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Eden Valley-Watkins, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Kimball, Maple Lake, New London-Spicer, and St. John's Prep.

On the same day, band members also excelled at the instrumental solo and ensemble contest held at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud. "They rose to the occasion and played very well," said Vork. He added that the majority of the band members earned four or five stars, the highest two ratings.

Five Star Solos

Melissa Andrie, flute; Holly Bennett, French horn; Trish Chevalier, clarinet; Caitlin Lien, flute; Lindsey Pelton, alto sax; Nicole Schlangen, flute; Ashley Spanier, flute; and Sami Tierney, clarinet.

Five Star Ensembles

Katie Bengston, Amber Chevalier, Trish Chevalier, Sami Tierney, and Angie Wunsch, clarinet ensemble; Rachel Hanson, Sara Ringstad, Ashley Spanier, and Jessica Virant, flute ensemble; Valerie Callenius, Bob O'Fallon, Tony Spates, Fred Stock, and Sam Thompson, low brass ensemble; Troy Gerding, Mandy Mayer, Jason Parks, Amy Roberg, Chad Stang, Peter Schreifels, Laura Stoneburner, and Jason Wendroth, sax ensemble; Courtney Colbert, Emily Mehr, Leann Nepsund, Lindsey Pelton, and Megan Reeck, woodwind ensemble.

Four Star Solos

Breanna Kochman, flute; Jessie Lahr, flute; Eric Miller, trumpet; Kayla Nelson, flute; Jessica Paul, flute.

Four Star Ensembles

Lacey Bengston, Brittany Caldwell, Joan Keller, Chris Kern, Travis Mohr, Morgan Martinson, Sam Moser, and Tony Theilen, percussion ensemble.

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