Greene County High School is once again one of the sites for this Saturday’s Iowa High School Music Association State Solo and Small Ensemble Contest.

Band Director Wes Anderson says he likes the Solo and Small Ensemble Contest because it allows the students to take ownership of their music because the instruments are more exposed in a small ensemble versus a large concert band. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio this year he is approaching the small ensemble portion differently.

“I’m going to go around the room and I’m just going to tell you that, ‘you two are going to be in a trumpet duet,’ ‘you’re going to be a brass quintet,’ ‘there’s going to be a percussion choir, who wants to play in the percussion choir?’ I just wanted to make sure that everyone’s got an ensemble that they’re in that’s suitable to where they’re at ability-wise. And then after that, I just said, ‘If anybody else wants to do another duet, or a trio, or a solo, that’s extra and that’s optional.”   

Not only are band students going to compete, but there will be many choir entries as well from Greene County. Choir Director David Heupel says there are 15 entries. This is a contest where the students are competing against a rating system and not each other. Heupel adds volunteers are still needed at this time to help at the high school. Click here for volunteer opportunities.