Albert Lea High School musicians competed at the Minnesota State High School League solo and ensemble contest at Lakeville South High School on Jan. 20, according to a press release.

Students sang and played for judges for a score and rating of either fair, good, excellent or superior based upon their performance. The vocal department had 47 events. Twenty-nine events earned a superior rating and 18 earned an excellent rating.

Students singing solos were Elizabeth Nafzger, Brad Heavner, Bu Htoo, Tierney Murtaugh, Samuel Yoon, Daryl Smith, Maddie Schei, Lexus Saltou, Leecie Mucciacciaro, Makenzie Herr, Julissa Gilbertson, Lydia Fluth, Maggie Moller, Carley Talamantes, Logan Howe, Natalie Day, Andrew Willner, Ethan Eriksmoen, Evan Blankenship, William Kreun, Ashler Benda, Jacob Leal, Noah Hanson, Alec Wendelboe, Presley Duenes, Jeorge Brinda, Katie Funk, Noah Wiese, Natalie Day, Brayden Boettcher, Lydia Boorsma, Ellie Reichel, Summer Beightol, Charley Fleek, Ali Christensen, Gigi Otten, Dane Brownlow, Michael Blong, Billie Maxson, Jens Lange, Jessica Weiland, Josh Englin and Terri Wolfe. Singing duets were Carley Talamantes and Maggie Moller, and Noah Hanson and Ellie Reichel.  

The Chorale also earned high ratings as well as a women’s ensemble with Maggie Moller, Makenzie Herr, Jordinn Johnson, Tierney Murtaugh, Rosemary Manzano, Emma Renchin, Maggie Eggum, Emily Bos and Ana Larson singing “Johnny’s Gone for a Soldier.”

Sam Yoon was awarded Best in Site for his performance and Tierney Murtaugh and Lydia Boorsma received Honorable Mention Best in Site for their solos. The students were accompanied by their teacher Diane Heaney, Lilah Aas and Gayle Brownlow.

There were 13 events for orchestra.  Five events earned a superior rating, seven events earned an excellent rating and one event earned a good rating.

Students performing solos were Brayden Boettcher, Noah Wiese, Terri Wolfe, Sam Cano, Gracie Studier, Samuel Yoon, Grant Herfindahl, Parker Jenson, Jens Lange and Emma Barclay.  Maddie Schei and Morgan Bjorklund performed a viola/violin duet, and Morgan Bjorklund and Anna Bordewick performed a violin duet.

The chamber orchestra earned a superior rating for its performance of the Allegro movement from Beethoven’s string quartet Opus 18, No. 2.  Chamber members include Jens Lange, Morgan Bjorklund, Samuel Yoon, Terri Wolfe, Anna Bordewick, Sam Cano, Esther Yoon, Kylie Brown, Nicole Caya, Emma Barclay, John Lukes and Parker Jenson.

Band students performed in 21 events. They earned nine superior ratings and 11 excellent ratings.

Students performing solos were Jessica Weiland (flute), Gigi Otten (bassoon and flute), Jacob Miller (clarinet), Greta Hagen (clarinet), Charley Fleek (horn), Chris Abrego (trumpet), Will Kreun (horn), Jacob Leal (horn), Olivia Stensrud (trombone), Jens Lange (trumpet), Josh Englin (trumpet), Jenna Seavey (flute), Natalie Day (clarinet), Venesses Brito Lino (flute) and Rebecca Mickelson (trombone).

Students performing ensembles included Venesses Brito Lino and Lisbeth Magdaleno Garcia (flute duet); Ashley Horton, Bailey Vinge and Rachael Holcomb (saxophone trio); Lily Vinge and Bailey Vinge (clarinet/saxophone duet); Josh Englin and Jens Lange (trumpet duet); and Gigi Otten and Grace Chalmers (trumpet/saxophone duet). Instrumentalists were accompanied by Suzanne Mauer, Robert Tewes, Deb Cooper and Jacob Leal.