The SSHS Band received the top rating, a Superior, at District Music Festival in Missoula. Pictured (L-R): Director Kaytee Ambrozich, Bradley Miller, Abram Pocha, Jessie Hood, Jared Townsend, Wrangell Parcell, Paul Hammerel, Emily Mercado, Mary Strumpfer, Trinitey Bartlett and Amber Leetch.
The SSHS Choir received a Good rating for their performance at District Music Festival. Kim Kellogg received a Superior rating for her solo "Homeward Bound" and has the opportunity to perform at the State Music Festival. Pictured (L-R): Director Kaytee Ambrozich, Kim Kellogg, Tanner Beall, Cera Strumpfer, Abram Pocha, Sally Johnson, Chloe Robbins, Cora Grube, Trinitey Bartlett, Lana Higgins and Jacob Morse (front).
MISSOULA - Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) band and choir along with several soloists participated in the District Music Festival April 15 and 16. The band received a Superior rating, the top rating while the choir received a rating of Good. Junior Kim Kellogg received a Superior rating for her solo and has the opportunity to go to State Music Festival in May.
The band and choir both performed Friday at Sentinel High School in front of two judges. The band played "Dark Odyssey" by Rob Grice and "Rowan Tree" setting by Randall Standridge.
"Both judges said that for as small as they are, the band has an impressive and mature sound," said SSHS Music Director Kaytee Ambrozich.
The choir sang "Who Can Sail" by Carl-Bertil Agnestig and "Bring Me Little Water Silvy" by Huddie Ledbetter and arranged by Moiva Smiley.
Ambrozich said the judges noted that there were strong leaders in every section of the choir and the group worked well together as an ensemble.
Soloist and small groups performed Saturday at Hellgate High School. Chloe Robbins performed "The Little Rose" by William Roy. Cora Grube sang "She's Like the Swallow" arranged by Carl Strommen. Cera Strumpfer and Lana Higgins sang "Amazing Grace" arranged by Jay Althouse. And Kim Kellogg performed "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen.
"Across the board, all the judges said the girls had a lot of guts to get up and perform," said Ambrozich. "They said their voices were full, clear singing voices and they encouraged [the students] to continue singing after high school."
Kellogg was the only one to receive the top rating of Superior. Everyone else received an Excellent. Ambrozich said that Strumpfer and Higgins missed a Superior rating by only one point.
Ambrozich was amazed by Grube's dedication when she found out only a couple weeks before District Music that her piece was not approved for the festival. She said most students would have just not attended, but Grube turned around and learned another piece in a very short time.
"I'm extremely proud of how much everyone has grown and the amount of work they have put in as musicians and people," said Ambrozich. "The large groups have grown so much in learning to play together. The individuals have shown so much personal growth. I'm really pleased with how well everyone did."
The community is invited to enjoy these selections and more at the SSHS spring concert May 24 at 7 p.m. at SSHS. There also will be an open mic starting at 6 p.m. before the concert.
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