• Article Photo. VSHS Band members performed at the State Festival.
    VSHS Band members performed at the State Festival.
The Vinton-Shellsburg High School Band students participated in the 2012 IHSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival last Saturday (March 24) at Clear Creek-Amana HS.  The band students participated in 10 events this year and accomplished 7 Division I ratings and 3 Division II ratings.  The following students achieved Division I ratings:  Kayla Peterson (clarinet solo), Sara Jorgensen (alto saxophone solo), Nick Gardner (saxophone solo), Stephanie Berry (trombone solo), Claire Andreesen (saxophone solo), Caleb Bendull (tuba solo), and Nick Gardner/Sara Jorgensen (saxophone duet).  Students achieving Division II ratings were: Daniel Janssen (saxophone solo), Lexi Hicok (oboe solo), and Zach Uthoff (trumpet solo).  
 
The students performed extremely well at the festival.  The students worked hard to prepare their solos with their piano accompanists and really learned a lot. The performance centers were very difficult this year.  I'm very happy and proud of the students that achieved Division I ratings, but I'm also very proud of Lexi, Daniel, and Zach for their performances.  It was their first high school solo performance in front of a judge for those high school freshman. It was a very, very good day for the band students and the VSHS Band Department! Congratulations!