OJ DeJonge Middle School musicians score high at solo and ensemble

From left, Division 1 earners: Maddy Erndtman, Amito Cazares, Anastasia Parks, Wyatt Jalocha, Aiden McDonald, Laela Rice, and Maggie Tang. Not pictured is Rachel Holden.

OJ DeJonge Middle School musicians score high at solo and ensemble

REMUS — Nineteen members of the Ludington Area Schools OJ DeJonge Middle School band participated in Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District One Solo and Ensemble (MSBOA) Saturday, Nov. 11, at Chippewa Hills High School. Of the 19 participants, eight received a first division (top) score and qualify to participate in the MSBOA Middle School Honors Band at Shelby High School on Jan. 9, 2024. Those first division musicians included Maggie Tang, Wyatt Jalocha, Amito Cazares, Aidan McDonald, Laela Rice, Anastasia Parks, Rachel Holden, and Maddy Erndtman.

Musicians are rated by judges on their tone, intonation, rhythm, technique and interpretation.

Additional participants at solo and ensemble included Kasen Carlsen, Scarlett O’Hearn, Tayten Jolly, Callen Skar, Brynn Eisinger, Kaitlin Kalchik, Karsten Sherman, Grant Hill, Jackson Wrasse-Hinman, Mayra Martinez, and Griffin Jorissen.

“I’m extremely proud of all our student musicians who attended the MSBOA Middle School Solo & Ensemble event on Saturday,” said Keith Kuczynski, LASD director of bands. “Each of the students who attended put in hard work during and after school to prepare for their performances. It takes tremendous courage to stand in front of a judge and audience, and each student should be very proud of their performance.”

– This article was submitted to MCP by Ludington Schools.