Heights High musicians excel in OMEA event

Several Heights High chamber ensembles participated at OMEA including Baker’s Dozen with Ann Zicari (trumpet), Samantha Espenschied (trumpet), Cody Radivoyevitch (horn), Gretchen Drushel (trombone), Oleaser Johnson (tuba).  photo credit: Lifetouch

Cleveland Heights High School’s Instrumental Music Department (IMD) excelled at the annual OMEA Solo and Ensembles Contest. The adjudicated event, sponsored by the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), took place on Jan. 18 at Heights High.

Four Heights High chamber ensembles and 12 soloists received the contest’s highest possible rating, which is reserved for outstanding performances with very few technical errors, exemplifying a truly musical experience.

Participating ensembles were: Baker’s Dozen with Ann Zicari (trumpet), Samantha Espenschied (trumpet), Cody Radivoyevitch (horn), Gretchen Drushel (trombone), Oleaser Johnson (tuba); Five Guys, Valves and Slides with William van den Bogert (trumpet), Benjamin Gillooly (trumpet), Ian Bartz (French horn), Abraham Mendes (trombone), David Pecoraro (tuba); Rock ‘n Viol’, a viola duo with Mariah Mendes and Christina Wynne; T.A.G. with Gabriella Russo (flute), Alyssa Underwood (oboe), Tanesha Hammond (bassoon); and The Sax Pistols, a saxophone quartet with sophomores Genaro Aiken, Noah Gonzalez, GianFranceso Quartell and Ryan Wilson.

Soloists prepared music for instruments as diverse as harp and snare drum, with several soloists performing with piano accompaniment. In addition to the 12 superior ratings, the remaining three soloists received excellent ratings, the second highest possible.

The following students competed as soloists: Anastasia Cyr (English horn), Ilona Eke (viola), Devin Gamble (flute), Kristin Gustafson (flute), Aviva Klein (bassoon), Isabel McGaugh (flute), Brendan Mullen (snare drum), GianFranceso Quartell (alto saxophone), Brittany Rabb (flute), Halling Roosa (cello), James Smith (French horn), Juliana Soreo (flute), Celia van den Bogert (prepared two solos, one for harp and one for flute), William van den Bogert (trumpet) and Ann Zicari (trumpet).

The Chamber Ensemble program at Heights High is a yearlong elective class under the direction of Dan Heim, instrumental music director. Students form ensembles that are coached by professional musicians on a weekly basis, outside of regular school hours.

In addition to expanding the students’ repertoires, the ensembles allow participants to gain firsthand experience with many of the tasks professional musicians perform. For example, groups assign one of the students to serve as music librarian, another takes responsibility for scheduling rehearsals, and another arranges recital performances in the community.

On Friday, Feb. 21, Heights High Symphony will particiate in OMEA’s State Orchestra Adjudicated event at Lakewood High School.

Florence D'Emilia

Florence D'Emilia is a Cleveland Heights resident and parent of a Heights High student.

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Volume 7, Issue 3, Posted 9:08 AM, 02.11.2014