The time has come for another round of Solo and Ensemble and Cascade has many participants this year.
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble is an adjudicated music performance that can include vocal performance as well as instrumental. Cadets have been participating in this event for many years and Mr. Shafer has continued to take students throughout his time here. Slowly but surely, more and more students have been getting involved, with 10 Cadets attending this month.
This year seniors John Reach, Justus Palumbo and Margaret Holtsclaw are performing in group 1, which is the toughest group, but offers the opportunity to advance to the state competition.
Eli Brooks, Kirtstyn Marcum, Autumn Chattin, Adyson Cranfill, and Isabelle Vieting are also participating in the event with Savannah Shotwell and Reese Walters acting as piano accompaniment.
Each performer is judged based on a variety of categories such as tone and technique. There are five different difficulty groups in which a student can choose to take part in, depending on where a student wants to perform.
Singers can earn gold, silver or bronze ratibngs based on their score. Many students at Cascade have received gold in the past, as well as some receiving gold with distinction. Gold with distinction is earned if a student does exceptionally well with their piece and receives a more impressive score.
Events like Solo and Ensemble are very important and educational. “It is a good learning experience as solo singing helps your voice grow faster because you are getting one on one instruction,” says Shafer.
