Band members take first at District

Sisters High School band members Caitlin Partridge and Justin Veloso both took first place at the District Solo Competition held at Mountain View High School on Saturday, March 5.

Partridge performed three movements from “Six Metamorphosis After Ovid,” written by modern classical composer Benjamin Britten.

“It was an extremely difficult piece,” said banddirector Jody Henderson. “It was unaccompanied work where only melodic ideas are performed by the soloist on their own. Normally, soloists are supported by piano accompaniment.”

Henderson told The Nugget that playing unaccompanied is very daring. The soloist is very exposed and must produce the entire effect of the piece on their own.

“To make things more challenging,” said Henderson, “the piece that Caitlin played is extremely abstract and often presents content which is not very conventional in terms of what we’re used to hearing in the cultural mainstream. It was a very, very advanced selection for a high school student.”

Partridge had previously performed the piece three times for college scholarship auditions and was perfectly at ease. This performance was totally the opposite.

“I was very nervous this time,” said Caitlin, “but I felt like I did really well.”

Partridge plans to study music education and pursue a career as a band teacher.

Justin Veloso won the solo competition in the category of multiple percussion. Justin performed “Mountain Man,” a grade-five difficulty composition (on a scale of 1-6) written for eight instruments and intended to be covered by one player.

The eight instruments included two cymbals, a bass drum, snare drum, two toms, a set of temple blocks and a cow bell.

Henderson said, “Justin has recently shown aninterest in going on in music study at the college level so I recommended he attend the state solo competition as a spectator this year and then attempt to participate next year by winning the district event. After talking with Justin about this he decided to go for it as a junior. He had to work hard on his material since he got a late start. I’m proud of his determination.”

Of the experience Justin said, “I was late getting to the competition and didn’t have any time to be nervous. I just got there and played. I felt good when I was through and thought I played well.”