Norwell Musicians Provide Special Performance

Last Thursday (Feb. 19) Norwell music students held a special concert to show the parents and community what the students had prepared to perform at the District ISSMA Solo/Ensemble. This is a state run competition in which students perform in a solo setting or in small-to-large groups for medals.

All of the students were required to participate and perform as part of an ensemble (not less than three people) that was assigned by Mr. Hassell. The students were also allowed to perform in another ensemble or a solo if they chose to.

Students in the intermediate band, made up of freshmen and sophomores, were to prepare a solo/ensemble piece no lower than Group III in difficulty. The students in the advanced band made up of juniors and seniors were to prepare a solo/ensemble piece from the Group I list. (Group I items being the most difficult.)

All of the percussion students, a group consisting of freshmen through seniors, were to prepare and be a part of a Group I Large Percussion Ensemble piece. All of the percussion ensemble members were required to prepare a solo on any instrument of their choice. The sophomores and the freshmen were to prepare a piece no lower than a Group II level of difficulty and the juniors and seniors were to prepare a piece from the Group I list of difficulty.

The students that performed received ratings of gold, silver, or bronze based on their performances. The students that received a gold rating were allowed to perform at ISSMA State in Indianapolis on Saturday (Feb. 21). Unfortunately, Mr. Hassell decided to cancel the performances of the Norwell students due to inclement weather conditions. The competition did go on in Indianapolis, just not with the Norwell students this year.

The jazz band also performed at the concert at Norwell. They will be performing at a jazz festival next month in Fort Wayne. The group showcased a freshman alto sax player by the name of Taylor Abdon.

Special thanks to Mrs. Tomi Harrison for providing the photo and also information relating to the event.