By: Clare Beezhold
Costa Band and Orchestra students participated in the annual Rotary Solo Competition finals on Jan. 31 in the auditorium.
Each musician performed a classical solo no longer than five minutes with the option of accompaniment. Outside adjudicators, Mira Costa Director of Bands Emeritus Dr. Victor Aguilar and Director of Orchestras at California Baptist University Dr. Gene Moon gave feedback to each student and awarded the winners.
“All the players did an amazing job, and I could clearly hear the effort that all of them put into their solos,” clarinetist and junior Sam Liu said. “Even those that didn’t place should be really proud of the fact that they had to confidence to stand up in front of a crowd and play.”
The winners of the 9th- and 10th-grade division were violinist Madison Oh and alto saxophonist Max Simpson. The winners of the 11th- and 12th-grade division were violinist Daichi Horiguchi and clarinetist Sam Liu. During the Rotary Awards breakfast on March 23 at the Westdrift Manhattan Beach winners receive awards and perform their solos.
“The competition and performance were really fun,” violinist and junior Daichi Horiguchi said. “Performing requires a ton of practice and getting over your nerves, but in the end, it’s very enjoyable and rewarding.”
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