PHS Musical Achievements

Through April 10-12, Polson High School bands and choirs headed up to Kalispell to present their musical works and secure their placements at the District Music Festival. On the first two days of the event everyone was required to participate; however, on the third day any student who had prepared either an independent or group piece has the opportunity to perform in front of an adjudicator, or judge. The adjudicator then determined their score from a ranking of 1-5, with one qualifying the student for state. Singers are judged upon rhythm, notes, dynamics and sophistication. When singing with multiple people, they will also be scored on blend. After qualifying, it is important to make sure that they are prepared to do their best. Junior Dominic Venters had the privilege of making his third trip to state, this time for a duet, trio, and quartet for choir. Venters shared how “using the advice from the judicator is usually a good basis for figuring out where you need to improve.” Rayleen Wadsworth, who went to state for a clarinet choir, advises “making sure your dynamics are down, because they are really what makes you a musician” and emphasizes “putting your emotion into it.” Being well prepared for state is essential to the students’ success and helps them get more comfortable with what they will be performing. 

One notable shift from last year’s district would be the new choir instructor, Hannah Fischer. Having never participated in district, she was thrown into it. Regardless, she successfully led her choir students, with Polson’s top choir, Concert Choir, earning a superior rating in sight-reading. The bands, under Richard Sawyer’s direction, did not disappoint either. Sawyer led Symphonic and Concert Bands into gaining a one in sight-reading and a two in performance. 

In all, 27 students performed pieces ranging from solos to ensembles. Corben Carlson played the drums in one of the choir pieces and shared how he was excited to go because of his friends and would get to travel to Great Falls for the first time. Aidan Franklin, who went  to state for a solo, with this only being his first year in choir, shares how it “is like a talent show. You get to meet other schools” and how much he loves music and the friends he meets along the way. This year will also be Wadsworth’s first year going to state and she is “excited to see how we do” and to be able to support her friend Inara Nicol who will be going to state for a solo. Overall the students were excited to go to Great Falls to perform their pieces and to spend time with the people around them. 

In total 27 students who were in either band, choir or a combination of both went to Great Falls. At state this year, eight band and three choir students earned superior ratings on their performances. Overall PHS did very well, and came back with more experience and pride for putting themselves out there and doing their best. Haislea Sternick, a current senior, was one of the band students who received a superior rating; she placed in a solo for the flute. Sternick shared,  “I’m grateful for this musical opportunity, and it was fun to learn from my adjudicator.”