Every year both the band, choir, and orchestra classes play a piece of music either as a solo act or an ensemble called Solo and Ensemble.
“ I have no idea when it started, it’s been around for a long time. When I was in highschool it [solo and ensemble] was there,” said band/ orchestra Mr. Knutson.
Kids who are in the music department know about Solo and Ensemble, but not everyone is in the music department.
“It’s a big opportunity for our [band] students to play a piece of music that they are responsible for. They pick, decide, and how to rehearse; they are on their own 95% of the time. They have to find out everything… it’s a last step to them becoming an independent musician,” Knutson said.
“It is a good way to gain experience, especially since we are in front of a judge,” commented Percussionist Justin Theien.
Other than the fact that the musicians have to decide everything on their own they are also judged on their performance day.
“We hire other choir or band directors that have experience in judging,” said Knutson. “There is eight categories to get points and there is different rankings.”
There is a possible 40 points for each student to receive to get a ranking title. A student can either have a superior (35-40 points), excellent (28-34), good (22-27), or fair (21 and below) ranking.
“There is also the best in sight award that the judges pick. One year there was 14 [best in] sights and Buffalo had 9 of those 14,” Knutson said.
With all the awards a band student can earn, they are sure to leave their solo or ensemble knowing that they are a better and stronger performer.
“As stressful as preparing your piece of music it is worth it.” said Theien. “You feel accomplished after a good performance.”
