Garden City High School music students participated in the Kansas State High School Activities Association State 6A Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, April 27, that was held in Topeka, Kansas. Students from band, choir, and orchestra participated in the event. The students that participated in the state competition advanced from regional competition held in Dodge City on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
The band participated in a total of 14 events, 11 solos and three ensembles at the competition. The following students received a I "Outstanding" rating: Seth Palacio, Bass Clarinet, Pablo Aguilar, Tenor Saxophone, and Jacob Pammenter, Snare Drum. The following students and ensembles received a II "Excellent" rating: Sebastian Bonilla, Trombone, Ivan Rivas,Trumpet, Evelyn Arroyo, Horn, Angel Robledo, Flute, Luis Vasquez, Euphonium, Luis Martinez, Alto Saxophone, Emma Banwell, Trumpet, Saxophone Trio: Pablo Aguilar, Luis Martinez, Adriana Montoya; and Flute Trio: Angel Robledo, Aiden Valdivia, Raquel Cuevas. Ezequiel Lopez, Clarinet received a III “Average” rating.
Ryan Partin is the band director and Andrew Thiesen is the assistant band director.
The school choir had 12 soloists compete and one ensemble. The soloists receiving a “I” rating include: Tristan Garcia, Bass, Darby Reimer, Soprano, Danica Galia, Soprano, Chandler Hass-Powers, Soprano, Emma Lightner, Soprano, and Hayley Loya, Soprano. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble received a “I” rating and was only one point away from a perfect score. The choir soloists receiving a “II” rating include: Gustavo Hiracheta, Tenor, Annalise York, Mezzo Soprano, Santiago Rueda, Tenor, Georgia Fahrmeier, Soprano, Oliver Spencer, Bass, and Juvey Chairez, Tenor.
Abigail Martinez is the choir director.
The school had 13 orchestra soloists and two ensembles compete. The Chamber Orchestra received a “I” rating. The members of the group include Arianna Martinez, Noemi Baltazar, Justin Contreras, Charlotte Cheney, Dakota Marcellus, Xander Flores, Alex Argueta, Madison Bennett, John Nguyen, Julissa Martin, Quinlynn Harms, Ashley Kingstone, Miko Cruz, Joseph Miller, Braidyn Orebaugh, Devin Richters, and Julia Facio. The String Quartet received a “II” rating. The members of the group include Arianna Martinez, Xander Flores, Miko Cruz, and Annalise York.
The orchestra soloists that received a “I” rating include Freshman: Lexi Peters, Violin, Law K Htoo, Cello, and Ailyn Arroyo, Bass. Sophomores: Kei Kempis, Bass, and Robert Smith, Violin. Junior: Miko Cruz, Viola. Seniors: Julissa Martin, Viola and Devin Richters, Bass. The soloists that received a “II” rating include: Sophomore: Wahler Taw, Cello. Juniors: Annalise York, Cello and Julia Facio, Bass. Seniors: Ashley Kingstone, Viola, and Arianna Martinez, Violin.
Summer Miller is the orchestra director.