Every year there is an option for students in grades 4-12th to participate in playing with a group of friends or by themselves. It’s not a requirement but for enjoyment. It occurs during February, so musicians can practice their selected piece to perfect it to the max. Then they can finally play their piece to judges to get their performance rated if wanted. Superior(or excellent) performance is a 1. Excellent performance is a 2, Good performance is 3, and Fair performance is 4.

The Solo & Ensemble is a great way for musicians to get recognized for their skills. If they get rated a 1 they can go onto state level and play for the judges there. Which bands looking for a good musician will look at the people who get 1s. The musicians will get feedback on their playing levels, skill development, confidence building, a sense of accomplishment, and overall have a fun time playing for Solo & Ensemble.

This year I have signed up for the Solo & Ensemble. I will be getting rated for state level and receiving feedback. I will be playing the piece “Sarabanda and Gavotta” composed by Arcangelo Corelli on my trumpet. This piece is graded level 3 as a solo and is supposed to be accompanied by a pianist. I’ll play in front of judges and get adjudicated late in the morning for an overall rating.

I chose to participate this year for multiple reasons. For skill development, especially since I’m doing a solo I will have to perfect my tone, intonation, phrasing, and expression. Playing in front of judges will also boost my confidence, which I somewhat struggle with. Even as a trumpet player I am afraid to mess up in a band, so I usually end up playing quietly to not be heard. I will also receive feedback which will help me become a better musician and fix up on my flaws.

I will get accustomed to playing in front of an audience, and I will be way more prepared for any solos that my band director my give me. Finally, of course I am participating in the ensemble for fun. I love to play my instrument, especially for others because I feel accomplished and playing in front of others makes me play better.

I have been practicing my piece “Sarabanda and Gavotta” for about a month now. The piece is coming along quite nice and there are a couple of challenges parts. There is bit of syncopation and half of the song is played rapidly with lots of sixteenth notes. I practiced the song first slower and now I am gradually speeding the tempo up. I have also been studying the rhythms because there are slurs, pickup notes, and different tempos.

I have been working on this piece for a little while and trying my best to perfect this song the best I can. I think the song overall though is beautiful which will make me play it much better. I will definitely be ready to play in front of judges in a couple months and get rated.