By Marisa Ellis
Circulation Manager
The Manhattan Beach Rotary Club hosted the annual Rotary Solo Competition on Jan. 21 in the auditorium where 24 band and orchestra musicians performed for two judges.
The competition was split into four divisions between band and orchestra performances. Band and Orchestra each had a Fresh/Soph and Jun/Sen division and all four divisions were judged separately.
“I knew from the rewarding feeling I got when I finished playing that I had left it all on stage,” sophomore Pleia Hall said. “I couldn’t have done better and winning simply added to the joy of sharing my music.”
Stan Steele from Irvine USD and Albert Jeung judged and scored the final competition based on intonation, tone, technique, interaction with accompanist and piece selection.
“The music for solo instruments is usually a lot more complicated than that of an ensemble piece,” prelim judge Raymundo Vizcarra said. “ It was very close in some cases and I was very impressed with the students who competed.”
A preliminary round took place on Jan. 7 where 6 students from each of the four divisions were accepted into the competition. Announcements of the finalists were posted on Jan. 8. Vizcarra graded the students based on quality, intonation, rhythm, technique, and interpretation.
“We each had 3 minutes to perform a classical solo piece in front of the judge,” junior Angelique Angelastro said. “I was thrilled I got to be one of the finalists after many hours of practicing my piece.”
Students and parents were welcomed to sit and hear each performance at the competition and once every students was done performing their piece, an outside adjudicator awarded cash prizes. For the 9th and 10th grade division, first place received $200, second $125, and third $75. In the 11th and 12th grade divisions, first place received $300, second $175, and third $125.
“It was great experience to get professional feedback playing solo,” senior Cameron De Luca said. “As I got more comfortable learning the piece, it was easier to perfect it for the competition.”
The Rotary Club will hold a breakfast on Mar. 14 at the Manhattan Beach Marriott Hotel where Kevin Chen, Pleia Hall, Briana Zukotynski and Tanner Yamada will perform for parents and members of the Rotary club.
“It is always great for students to get experience at solo literature,” Band Director Joel Carlson said. “It’s beneficial to receive feedback since it is prominent in music making and it is an educating experience.”
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