Nearly 20 Monroe High School musicians earned either Division 1 or Division 2 ratings in the District XII Solo and Ensemble Festival at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School on January 30.  Participants in the festival came from Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, minus the City of Detroit.

     Students performed as soloists or in small groups for experienced adjudicators from around Michigan and were rated on a scale of 1 to 5, against a standard of excellence.  “1” is the best score a musician can receive.  Students who earned First Division ratings are eligible to compete at the state solo and ensemble competition in March.

     All of the Monroe School representatives were students of either MHS Band Director James Nuechterlein or MHS Orchestra Director Ann Felder.

     Students receiving Division One ratings were: Nicholas Howerton, flute solo; Dallin Bowie, piano solo; Brooke Pridemore and Morgan Kline, violin duet; Morgan Kline, violin solo; Jacob Foulkrod, cello solo; Brianna Finley, trumpet solo; and Kyle Huisman, Jacob Foulkrod, Maggie Pasko and Eleni Wohl, cello quartet.

     Students receiving Division Two ratings were: Natalie Lake, alto saxophone solo; Adria Slowinski and Brooke Pridemore, violin duet; Brandon McClure and Jessica Skeens, violin duet; Jessica Skeens, violin solo; Keiara Dehner, violin solo; Maggie Pasko, cello solo; Abigail Snow, trumpet solo; Abigail and Nicholas Howerton, flute duet; and Grant Prater, trumpet solo.MHS