Staff Writer
Cara Martinez
Costa band and orchestra students participated in the Rotary Solo Prelims in the small theatre on Jan. 12 and 13.
A total of 12 band students and 16 orchestra contestants participated in the preliminary round. In the 9th and 10th grade division, 10 students qualified for the final round and in the 11th and 12th grade division, 11 students qualified.
Click to see link of Manhattan Beach Rotary Club Website
“I thought this was a good experience to pursue or improve my musical abilities and it was a great way to challenge myself,” flute player Bella Courtesy said.
The adjudicators judged the contests on several categories: tone quality, technique, intonation, rhythm, tempo, articulation, dynamics, technical difficulties, musicianship, preparedness, fluency, stage presence, and adequacy. In the band division, the judges were MBUSD Elementary Band Director Tim Nail, band director, Terry Courtesy. In the orchestra division the judges were, Katie Cavallaro and Jeff Wang.
“I prepared for prelims by practicing, working hard with my private teacher, using the metronome and learning good finger technique,” Arnao said.
Photos: Band and orchestra performs in Rotary Solo prelims
According to Band Director Joel Carlson, students chose their pieces and rehearsed in preparation for this round. In the preliminary round, each student played one or part of a piece that was under three minutes. In the final round, the students will be allowed to play a piece under five minutes
“It was great to see people who normally play in an ensemble to be able to use their musical talents as soloists, to hear some of their characterizations and some of their own individual, creative choices, Carlson said.
Video Courtesy: Bella Arnao
Emily Angstreich performs her piece, “Fantaisie sur Le Freyschutz” by Claude-Paul Taffanel. She qualified for the 11th and 12th grade division for the rotary solo finals competition.
In the final competition, the students who qualified will play on Feb. 3 in the auditorium in front of different judges. The participants who place first, second, and third per division will receive cash prizes.
“I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s performances and I am excited to perform my own in front of my peers,” Violinist Audrey Kim said.
After the final round, the first, second and third place contestants from each division will perform at the rotary breakfast buffet on March 13. The performances commence starting with the youngest division and end with the high school band winner.
Click to see link of Costa’s band website
“In the final round, I am looking forward to playing my piece with the piano accompaniment and getting the chance to perform for a larger audience. When I perform on stage, it feels like I am a different person and I love taking the opportunity to perform in front of others” flute player Emily Angstreich said.
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