Albert Lea vocalists recently competed in a solo and small ensemble contest in Albert Lea May 21 at the high school. The state sponsored contest was held in late January in Lakeville and many students were not able to compete during that time. Albert Lea choral director, Diane Heaney, arranged this contest to accommodate those students and to give them a judged solo experience.

The judges for the afternoon were Mike Ellingsen of Blue Earth and Richard Jokumsen of St. James.

They scored the students using the same criteria and ballots as the Minnesota State High School League.

Earning a superior for their solos were Joe Anthonisen, Mollie Hernandez, Tara Madson, David Grano, Zach Wilke, Alayna Wood, Ali Schmitz, Annmarie Caporale, Tim Stoneking, Tara Helgeson, Logan Tufte, Ashley Viktora, Samantha Hutchins, Holly Ryks, Riley McLaughlin, Kelly Nelson, and Korbin Wayne.

Solos earning an excellent rating were done by Samantha Sickels, Brooke Thompson, Emily Stoneking, Brielle Smith, Derik DeVries, Josh Klapperick, Anthony Tate, Alexa McCune, Matt Dorman, Jennifer Schoeb, Lennart Sobirey, Mikayla Avery, Kate Ellertson, Max King, Jessica Sanderson, and Jayna Jepson.

Harley Peterson earned a good rating.

Scoring superior was a duet with Mollie Hernandez and Amy Vandenheuvel, a freshman mixed quartet with Holly Ryks, Mollie Hernandez, Zach Wilke, and Daniel Edwards, a freshman women&8217;s trio with Emily Stoneking, Brooke Thompson, and Ashley Peterson, a freshmen men&8217;s group with Anthony Tate, Logan Tufte, Zach Wilke, Time Stoneking, David Grano, Derik DeVries, and Daniel Edwards. and a freshmen male quartet with Callen Pirsig, David Grano, Caleb Gaudian, and Silas Randall.

Duets by Alyssa Hove and Tasha Lacey and by Courtney Stewart and Alexa McCune scored an excellent rating.

Judges commented on the students fine preparation and vocal technique.

Many of them will compete again next year.