News

Du Quoin, Pinckneyville musicians shine at Solo & Ensemble contest

Posted March 05, 2017 10:00 pm

By Chanda Green Contributing writer

Carterville High School was buzzing with nervous energy Saturday as the Illinois High School Association Solo & Ensemble Contest took over the campus and narrowed the curriculum to music, music, music.

It lingered in hallways and echoed in bathrooms as musicians warmed up for their moment in the spotlight. Bits of beautiful, classical pieces escaped from the auditorium's doorway as students played the grand piano, under a spotlight, on the stage, while the percussionists marched to a different drummer right around the corner.

Judges listened and scribbled on paper tally forms, adding up scores and making notes for the performers. And for serious high school musicians, that just might be the most important part of the process, that is, once they've all recovered from the tension that pulses through this event like a big, bass drum.

It is a competition, after all.

"Our kids have been practicing intensely for a couple of months," said Du Quoin High School Band Director Denise Smith. Her students came home with 54 first superiors and five 2nd excellent medals.

Smith requires every member of the high school band to perform as a soloist or in an ensemble.

"It's an experience that most of them won't forget," she said. "They learn to work together in groups, some get to be conductors, and all of them expand their knowledge of music."

She called the Solo and Ensemble contest "invaluable" to high school music instructors, "simply because of the impact it has on our high school musicians."

Lindsay Feltmeyer of Pinckneyville was excited and confident and OK, just a little nervous after she played her clarinet solo in room 236. But she had her No. 1 fan with her for support, Shelley, her mom.

"Lindsay does a great job," Mom said. "She's amazing."

Lindsay said that she was confident in her performance. "Very confident," she said. "I've played the clarinet since I was 12 years old."

It should be noted that Lindsay, a senior this year, wants to be in the SIUC marching band next year.

Destiny Williams of Chester had just finished her solo vocal performance of "Summertime," from "Porgy and Bess." She sat down with a relieved thump beside her friend Ciontae Monroe.

"You were so-o-o good," Ciontae said to Destiny.

"She is good because she practices every day," said Destiny's mother, Amy Williams, raising her voice and pointing her finger at her daughter and her friend. Then, locking her eyes with her daughter, and in a much quieter voice, she said, "I'm so proud of you."

For a complete list of result, visit https://www.tourneywire.com/musicresults.htm.

Lindsay Feltmeyer of Pinckneyville warms up in the halls before her clarinet solo. Chanda Green photo

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